Let’s just be real for a second: traditional networking is awkward.
You’ve felt it. I’ve felt it.
The stiff smiles. The rehearsed elevator pitches. The pile of business cards you never look at again.
It’s exhausting—and honestly, it’s not even effective.
If we actually want to build relationships that turn into opportunities, referrals, collaborations—even friendships—we have to ditch the script.
We have to start leading with something a little less mechanical… and a whole lot more human.
It’s simple: people trust people who genuinely care.
And the fastest way to show you care is by being curious.
Why Networking Isn’t About Pitching — It’s About Connecting
When we show up to a networking event or meeting trying to sell ourselves, it shows.
People can feel it.
And instead of leaning in, they pull away.
But when we show up just wanting to connect—no agenda, no hard sell—it changes the whole energy.
It disarms people. It builds trust faster. And it opens doors that a polished pitch never could.
Networking isn’t supposed to be about performing.
It’s supposed to be about listening, learning, and serving.
That’s where real opportunities are born.
5 Prompts That Actually Spark Real Conversations
Here are five questions I lean on whenever I’m meeting someone new.
They work because they’re real. They’re about them, not you.
- “What’s lighting you up in your work lately?”
You’ll learn way more by asking what’s exciting them than asking what their job title is. - “What made you get into your line of work?”
Everyone’s got a story. Hearing it helps you understand who they are, not just what they do. - “If I could introduce you to your dream client, who would that be?”
This immediately positions you as someone who wants to help, not just someone trying to get something. - “What’s one challenge you’re working through right now?”
People remember the ones who made them feel safe enough to be real.
This question gets there fast. - “Is there any way I can support you this month?”
Simple. Direct. And honestly—rare.
Offering help without expectation stands out more than any business card ever could.
Why This Approach Works (And Always Will)
People don’t remember the slickest talkers.
They remember the ones who made them feel seen.
Real networking taps into what we’re all wired for: trust, connection, community.
When you show up with genuine curiosity and a willingness to contribute, you become memorable in the best possible way.
You’re not just another person they met.
You’re someone they trust.
And when people trust you, they want to work with you, refer you, and support you.
Final Thought: Just Be Human
If you take nothing else from this, take this:
Networking isn’t about being impressive.
It’s about being human.
Drop the scripts.
Stay curious.
Look for ways to support, not sell.
Because in the end, business is personal.
And people do business with people they trust—not people who pitch the hardest.