Networking in a Hybrid Workplace

🛰️ Claudia thought hybrid-working schedules would save her: Two days at home for deep work and the invisible care work, wherever she could breathe. One day on-site to be seen. Although she kept over-delivering. She was seen less and remembered less. The promotions went to people whose jokes landed in hallways, not Slack. Her work traveled by email; their faces traveled by elevator. 🌓 Here’s the trap: working from home is both blessing and curse for women. The blessing is focus and flexibility for the invisible labor we carry. The curse is that we avoid the spotlight. We’d rather deliver quietly and trust merit to carry us, and we get passed over by people who were seen. 🧠 The truth is that people remember who they see, not just what they read. Being in a few key rooms still moves careers, even if it shouldn’t. The 9–6 badge-swipe culture punishes anyone doing school pickups, elder care, or real life. So don’t swing to either extreme, always on-site or always invisible online. Design your visibility like a workflow: pick the two moments each month when decisions get made, show your face there, and cover the rest with tight written receipts and short live updates. 🔧 So, how to design this now: 1. 🎯 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.    Forecast week and exec reviews.    Walk three specific people who need to know your work before the meeting with a one-minute “here’s the impact, here’s the ask.”     2. 🧾 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹.    For every major deliverable, ship a 6-sentence note: problem → action → business result → risk removed → next bet → what I need from you. CC two people not in the room. If it isn’t written and witnessed, it isn’t yours.     3. 🗓️ 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.    Publish your office rhythm: “Tuesdays I’m in for decisions; Thursdays I’m in for cross-team syncs; other days async, 2–4pm live window.” Leaders invest in what they can reliably find.     4. 🔁 𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲.    Pre-brief an in-room ally with your two lines and your ask;    Post-brief them for the echoes.    Rotate proxies so you’re not indebted and return the favor when you’re on-site.     🚀 Today Uma and I are running a 90-minute working session, “𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸.” Last chance to join us live and get the exact scripts, pre-wiring moves, and the one-page receipts template: https://lnkd.in/gte3PVrM 👊 Because remote can do the work, but only designed presence gets you the credit, the mic, and the raise.

Harsh truth: Networking is dead. (at least in the traditional sense of the word)... Those business cards you're collecting? The LinkedIn connections you're hoarding? They're worthless. I'm introverted. Socially anxious. Yet I've built a world-class network. The difference? I stopped networking and started building genuine relationships. My 4-step anti-networking system: 1. Find value-aligned rooms. Love fitness? Hit the 7am farmer's market. Love books? Join that book club. The filtering happens before you walk in. 2. Ask better questions. Skip "What do you do?" Try: "What's lighting you up outside of work?" Being interested is more important than being interesting. 3. Master Level 2-3 listening. Most people wait for their turn to talk. Charismatic people are fully present, building a mental map of who you really are. 4. Creative follow-ups. Send that article they'd love. Mail them that book you discussed. I've built my best mentor relationships by sending books to people's offices. This week: Pick ONE value-aligned room. Start ONE conversation. Follow up within 48 hours. Stop networking. Start building.

“Saloni, your work has been amazing. But for me to be able to back you for 150%, you need to be more VISIBLE.” I don’t know if I’m the only one, but early in my career, I was told this during an appraisal. It was tough to digest. I believed good work should speak for itself. Turns out, it doesn’t always. I learnt that 'visibility' is not about showmanship. It is about ensuring your contributions are recognized and your growth isn’t held back by silence. Over time, I learnt to balance substance (doing great work) with signal (making sure it’s seen). Especially while working from home, where "out of sight, out of mind" can quietly creep in, this becomes even more important. If you work in a hybrid environment and are early in your career, you may find this useful: 👉 Daily -- Drop quick updates in team channels about progress (not in a braggy way but just to keep everyone aligned) -- Speak up in meetings, even if it’s just one thoughtful question -- Show presence by being responsive without being glued to Slack/Teams. 👉 Monthly -- Share a concise “wins and learnings” note with your manager, it helps them advocate for you -- Volunteer for a cross-functional initiative, no matter how small. It builds networks beyond your immediate team -- Schedule short 1:1s with peers to exchange ideas and updates 👉 Quarterly -- Present outcomes of a project (not just outputs) in a forum and show how your work created impact -- Revisit your goals with your manager and check alignment because visibility is as much about clarity as it is about action I've also maintained a 'Hype' folder for myself since the beginning of my career, documenting small and big wins. It helps on those hard days when imposter syndrome takes over. Try it out yourself. Your work deserves to be seen, not hidden in the shadows of a Zoom screen! What are some other rituals you use to shine at your workplace? #workfromhome #corporate #career

Networking as an introvert feels scary AF. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are 3 tips that helped me build relationships with CEOs, influencers, and high-profile entrepreneurs (without leaving my couch): Context: For Introverts, By An Introvert I’m an introvert through and through. Networking, speaking, etc. Those were all SCARY uncomfortable for me early on. But, like any skill, I got better with practice. Here are 3 strategies that helped the most: 1. Quality > Quantity Instead of: - Going to meetups - Blasting out random connections - Attending conferences I focused on a handful of specific people. They met two criteria: - They had already done what I wanted to do - I was genuinely excited to engage with them 1a. Why Those Criteria? The first is easy. You should only take advice from people who already have what you want. For the second, forcing connections creates so much anxiety. Life is a lot easier when you're genuinely pumped to engage with the people on your contact list. 1b. Why A Handful? Great relationships require depth. By selecting a small set of people you're super excited about, you can invest more energy into each relationship. That energy is going to shine through and lead to a better, stronger, more authentic relationship. 2. Engage On Your Terms The idea of meeting a stranger for a 30-minute coffee terrified me. So I engaged where I was comfortable: virtually. - I commented on their posts. - I left reviews for their podcasts. - I proactively offered feedback on ideas. - I made introductions. 2a. Engage On Your Terms You are your best self when you show up where it's comfortable for you. I love starting in a virtual space because: It's easier to connect. You ease into things. When you meet for coffee down the road? You already have a history! Way less scary. 3. Monitor Your Energy Connecting was a roller coaster for me. I got anxiety beforehand, was super energized during, and exhausted after. Due to that, I limited myself to a certain number of networking convos each week. Then I scheduled non-negotiable "me" time to recharge.

Your colleagues are not your friends. Do your job. Get paid. Go home. I completely agree with this… If you want work to be a place of cold isolation that may eventually impact your wellbeing and productivity. Some of my oldest friends today, are people I worked with, from bosses to peers and even external collaborators (vendors & suppliers). And they made work better, happier, more engaging and satisfying for me. Humans by nature are communal creatures; we need to connect with others, feel part of the group. If you think about it, all the levels in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs are essentially about human connection; physiological needs, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualisation all require human connection with others. In the past it was easier to create friendships at work because you saw people and interacted with them daily. Today, with remote and hybrid work, it’s a little harder but still doable. Here are some tips on building relationships with colleagues even when you rarely see them physically: 📌 Make the Effort: If you want to build relationships at work, you have to be intentional about it; reach out, communicate, interact, participate. 📌 Offer Value & Build Trust: As selfish as this may sound, people gravitate towards those who add value to their lives. And since value is subjective, start by being generally optimistic, positive, friendly and willing to be helpful. Make sure to follow through on promises. Consistency and reliability are important for building trust 📌 Use the Tech: Most of today’s workplace interactions happen with the use of technology; emails, instant messaging, video conferencing, etc. Use them. Don’t wait for a time when you can interact physically. 📌 Communicate Effectively: Because it’s harder to connect virtually than physically for most people, you’ve got to communicate more often and leave no room for ambiguity as virtual communication can be open to interpretation (and misinterpretation). 📌 Virtual Socials: Don’t limit workplace interactions to work stuff. Share personal interests and hobbies to find mutual interests you can bond over. I love the idea of a pyjama coffee meeting or virtual lunches with colleagues. Who doesn’t relax while drinking a beverage? Or in PJs? 📌 Celebrate Colleagues: Celebrate your colleagues’ achievements or milestones, professional and personal. Even small gestures of recognition go a long way in relationship-building. Building relationships in a remote work environment requires being proactive, patient, and empathetic. By actively engaging with your colleagues using remote tools, and finding ways to connect beyond work stuff, you can create strong and lasting professional relationships, even when you rarely meet in person. Do you believe in work-friends? How do you build and maintain friendships with remote colleagues? #LinkedInNewsEurope

Being an introvert in college made me think I'd never build a strong network. Yet today, almost every big opportunity I’ve got came through it. Here are 5 simple strategies that helped me! 📌Stop trying to be someone else. Instead of forcing small talk, I started asking genuine questions about people's work and actually listening to their answers. Turns out, most people love talking about their passion projects when someone genuinely cares. 📌Use your preparation superpower. As introverts, we naturally research and prepare. I started looking up attendees beforehand, identifying 2-3 people I actually wanted to meet, and having real questions ready about their work or company. 📌Quality over quantity. While others collected 20 business cards, I focused on having 2-3 meaningful conversations. Those deeper connections led to actual opportunities, not just LinkedIn connections. 📌Follow-up is your secret weapon. Introverts excel at thoughtful, written communication. A personalised follow-up email referencing something specific from our conversation always stood out. 📌LinkedIn is your playground. Networking isn't just about events. I started reaching out to professionals whose work genuinely interested me, not asking for jobs but sharing insights about their recent posts or asking thoughtful questions about industry trends. Most people appreciate genuine curiosity. 📌Leverage your listening skills. In group conversations, I became the person who asked follow-up questions and remembered details others missed. People started seeking me out because I made them feel heard. The breakthrough moment came when a senior manager told me after an event, "You ask the best questions. Most students just talk about themselves." The genuine connections I built through this approach helped me land my first internship, find my co-founder, connect with early clients, and unlock countless other opportunities I never could have imagined.💛 All because I stopped trying to network like an extrovert and started leveraging my introvert strengths instead. What's your biggest challenge as an introvert? 💬

As an introvert, the thought of large professional gatherings can be overwhelming. However, you know that networking is crucial for career growth and professional success. One strategy that has worked for me is leveraging online platforms to build meaningful connections. Sites like LinkedIn allow for thoughtful engagement without the immediate pressure of in-person events, making it easier for introverts to connect and engage. By creating and sharing content, you can attract connections naturally. Platforms like Medium, YouTube, GitHub, and X also offer great opportunities to expand your reach and showcase your expertise. Start by joining online communities related to your field and contributing valuable insights. This approach not only helps you build your network but also positions you as a thought leader in your industry. Online networking allows you to take your time crafting messages and engaging in conversations at your own pace. It breaks down the barriers to the hardest part of networking: meeting a large volume of people. For introverts, this method is more manageable and comfortable, opening doors to new opportunities and meaningful relationships. Do you consider yourself an introvert? If so, how have you thought about effectively networking? #Networking #Introvert #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

Following my last post on networking, a common question came up: “How do you actually do it, especially as an introvert?” I used to find large rooms daunting. That changed when I stopped trying to be an extrovert and started leaning into my natural strengths. As introverts, we tend to be thoughtful, detail-oriented, and good listeners. Those are exactly the traits that make networking effective, just in a different way. Something I learned from direct marketing stayed with me: The power of multiple contacts. While others try to “work the room,” you can win by what you do before and after the event. I once read that a CEO landed his role at a major hotel brand because he had stayed in touch with the Chairman over the years. When the opportunity came, he wasn’t just a name on a resume, he was the first person they thought of. Here’s what has worked for me: Before the event Send a brief note to someone you know will be there. It turns a cold start into a continuation. At the event Listen more than you talk. Look for common ground - where you’re from, a shared interest like golf or a favorite team, or a business challenge you both understand. Commonality draws people closer. It creates an immediate sense of connection. And that’s what makes any follow-up feel natural, not forced. Right after Follow up within 24 hours. Reference something specific from your conversation. That’s what makes it stick. Then comes the real work Stay in touch, with a reason. Share an article, congratulate them on a win, or send a quick note over holidays. Small touches, over time, consistently. Networking isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about being the most consistent after the event. You don’t need to change who you are. You just need to lean into the strengths you already have. I’m curious: What’s one small way you’ve stayed in touch that made a lasting impression? #Leadership #Networking #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Introverts

A crazy underrated networking hack if you’re an introvert is posting content online. I used to think everyone posting online had to be an extrovert with a big personality. I'm not the loudest person in the room, so I figured I could never do it. But here's what I've realized: introverts actually have the most to gain from posting online. Whether you're looking for a job, trying to meet people in your industry, or finding customers and partners, sharing content online is the one networking “hack” I can't recommend enough for introverts. Here's why: 1️⃣ You expand your surface area As an introvert, I'm not the person who strikes up conversations at the gym or yoga class. Content lets me reach people I'd never meet otherwise in a way that feels authentic to me. 2️⃣ It's SO much less scary to reach out to someone you've connected with through content Justin McLaughlin shared an insanely kind post listing me as a marketer he enjoyed following. I loved his content too, so I reached out, and it didn’t feel awkward at all. We had an hour-long conversation about everything from LinkedIn posting to product marketing at startups. 3️⃣ You build connections before walking into any room The idea of walking into a room full of people I don’t know still terrifies me (even though I started my career in sales). But when I went to a creator event Eileen Yang and Verci hosted in NYC last month, I realized I already knew several people through content. Suddenly, being there didn’t feel scary anymore. 4️⃣ Cool people reach out to YOU Eline de Wit 🟣 asked me to be on her podcast (still wild that people want to hear me talk for that long). We connected and realized we did the same job in international expansion for marketplace businesses. I didn't even have to make the first move! 5️⃣ You can skip the small talk One of my biggest pet peeves as an introvert is small talk. But when you've seen someone's content, you can dive right in. Meeting fellow online yappers often feels more like catching up with an old friend than meeting someone new. Don’t get me wrong - the challenges of posting online as an introvert are real (self-promotion feels icky, online interactions can drain your social battery, imposter syndrome is real…this could be a whole post in itself) But if you need motivation to start, here it is. If you’re an introvert, how do you build your network?

2 years ago, when I first moved to the U.S. as an international student, I didn’t know anyone in my industry. No “network,” no referrals, no roadmap. So, I made a rule for myself: If I couldn’t get a job yet, I’d at least get a conversation. At first, I was awkward. I had no idea what to ask or what to say. But after 120+ coffee chats (yes, that number is accurate), I learned exactly what to say to make the conversation meaningful, without it feeling transactional. Here’s my <15-second guide to a great coffee chat: 1️⃣ Start strong: Thank them for their time. Share your name, background, and why you’re interested in the company. 2️⃣ Ask questions related to industry & company fit, like: “What sparked your interest in your industry, and how did you end up at Company X?” “Why did you choose Company X, and how’s your experience been so far?” 3️⃣ Ask questions related to work & career insights, like: “Can you share a memorable project or challenge you’ve worked on?” “From your experience, what should someone in my role/college do now to prepare for this field?” 4️⃣ Ask questions related to personal & growth advice, like: “If you could go back to your early career, what advice would you give yourself?” “How do people typically grow within the company?” Honestly, many of my internships and roles came from these conversations, not cold applications. If you take one thing away from this: The right coffee chat can change your career. It definitely changed mine. To get more job-search tips like this, I have a weekly newsletter, subscribe here: https://lnkd.in/dMKTvb8w What’s the best question you’ve ever asked in a coffee chat? ☕