Episodes

Well, we’ve reached the end of Season 1 — and all I can say is: What a ride! It has been absolutely phenomenal meeting and learning from so many super connectors in the community. From the mentor who helped me get to where I am today, to the woman nicknamed “The Negotiator,” to Canada’s Financial Confidante, I have had some pretty awesome women on the show this past year. 

One thing I’ve noticed throughout this season was the inevitable “a-ha” moment I experienced while speaking with every single one of my guests. Sure, I may know a thing or two about networking myself, but there wasn’t an episode that aired where I didn’t learn at least one new thing.

Many of these little networking nuggets I knew intuitively, but I had never heard them expressed in the way a particular guest communicated them. So they just really stuck with me. Things like:

– This little gem from Jennifer Hargreaves: Expert networkers love connecting people to one another … So make sure you keep that connector in the loop after an introduction has been made. It will likely result in more introductions. ← SO TRUE! I can’t count how many times I’ve connected two awesome people, and then never heard what came of that connection. For a matchmaker like me, that’s a total cliffhanger!!

– Or as Chanele MacFarlane noted, it’s not always the right time. As much as I love connecting people, her tip to ask permission — from both sides — before making an introduction was a good reminder for me. So many of us are so busy that we’re bordering on burnout, and I certainly don’t want to be the person to add to the overwhelm.

– Then there was a bit of a reality check from Judi Hughes: Networking is a long-term commitment, she explained, so don’t expect things to happen right away. ← True again. If you go into a networking event with an expectation of getting something out of that first meeting, it’s like you’re going to leave disappointed. I think it’s important to set realistic expectations and understand that great things aren’t going to happen overnight. If you’re patient, though, the benefits of networking can be life-changing.

– And finally, Deborah Rosati’s words of wisdom: Don’t expect anything in return. ← Absolutely. If you are the one offering or creating an opportunity, please please please don’t have an ulterior motive. If you are authentic and generous and kind, your good deed will come back to you, ten-fold, if you’re willing to play the long game. (As an aside, if you don’t believe in Karma, spend a good chunk of your time networking, and you just might.) 

On that note, I’d like to invite listeners to participate in Connect and Bloom’s Six Degrees of Separation challenge. You never know what opportunities might bloom out of this sort of introduction. Take it from a super-connector like myself, making connections can be life-changing for all parties.

I’ll be sharing Season 1’s coveted connections on social media over the next few weeks. So please stop by my Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn account to see who my guests want to meet and if YOU are the one who can make the introduction. 

Season 2 starts up again in September, so be sure to join me — and a brand new lineup of awesome guests — in the fall. 

Until then, have a fabulous summer!

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