03-12-2026IMPACT COUNCIL

19 ways to approach networking

Networking doesn’t have to be a dirty word.

[Photo: Getty Images]

The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of top leaders and experts who pay dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership, and more.

BY Fast Company Impact Council

Personal networking can help grow your business, but it can also help you grow as a person and a leader. The key is in how you view it. For some, it is a necessary evil—collecting names and LinkedIn connections like a dance card. For others, it is no game—it is getting to know someone on a genuine basis, even if it will never help them. We asked our Fast Company Impact Council members about the role personal networking plays in their own growth strategies. Not surprisingly, many had thoughts about it, and those thoughts are insightful. 

1. PRESSURE-TEST IDEAS 

Personal networking is how I pressure-test ideas, spot patterns early, and learn from leaders navigating similar change. In an AI-driven world, no one has all the answers. Candid conversations with CHROs, CEOs, technologists, and emerging talent sharpen my judgment and expand my perspective. I view my network as a learning community that accelerates adaptation and keeps my leadership grounded in real experience. — Jacqui Canney, ServiceNow 

2. CONTRIBUTION COMPOUNDS 

I’m not a traditional networker. I’m just genuinely curious about people. My philosophy is simple: Add more value than you take in every interaction. If you approach relationships that way, the network builds itself. Some of that value comes back to you. Some of it doesn’t, and that’s fine. The goal isn’t extraction. It’s contribution. Over time, that compounds. — Elery Pfeffer, Nift 

3. TALENT RECRUITMENT 

My top priority as CEO is talent recruitment. The best executive talent isn’t found on job boards like Indeed; it’s built through genuine personal relationships where trust and cultural fit are already established. Investing time in meaningful networking is one of the highest-ROI activities one can do. — Jeff Peel, Tactacam 

4. TRUST, INSIGHT, AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES 

Personal networking plays a significant role in my growth strategy because trust, insight, and real-world experiences are three of the most important elements of any relationship. In a field like organization design, these relationship fundamentals are mission critical. Showing up in person at conferences and industry gatherings is non‐negotiable for me because it opens doors to new connections,........

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