Career growth

Networking

Build useful professional relationships through curiosity, generosity, and follow-through.

A practical starting point

Three principles to take into the conversation

  1. 1

    Begin with genuine interest rather than an immediate request.

  2. 2

    Make your context and reason for reaching out specific.

  3. 3

    Follow up with something useful and maintain the relationship over time.

Try this opening

“I’m interested in how you approached [specific topic]. Would you be open to sharing what you learned?”

Adapt this opening to your situation and say it in your own words.

Prepare in a few minutes

  • Write down the outcome you want from the conversation.
  • Separate what you observed from what you assume.
  • Choose one point the other person needs to understand.
  • Plan a question that makes room for their perspective.