What is genuine networking?

After your next networking event, try this simple check. Look back through the conversations you had and ask yourself: did you find out what the other person actually needed, or did you spend most of the time explaining what you do?

If it was mostly the latter, that is a sales pitch, not a connection.

Genuine networking builds slowly. It is about understanding someone else's situation well enough that, when the right moment comes, you can either help them directly or point them towards someone who can. That kind of relationship takes time, and it starts with curiosity, not a pitch.

One conversation where you genuinely listen is worth more than ten where you hand out business cards. Next time you are in the room, make it your intention to leave knowing more about others than they know about you.