Networking is not necessarily a great virtue. The ability to network may not necessarily be the most desired trait that will unfold success, both personal and professional. Many young executives (mostly entrants to the world of business and work) arrive with the misbelief that they can frog-leap up the ladder of growth and recognition, based on how they “network” with people of importance and relevance.

As a quick reminder to readers, young and old, what are the “Epstein files” if not a record and journey of people he “networked” with? Networking proved to be wicked, dishonourable, evil, sinful, immoral, and corrupt…. Networking, hence, has to be with “caveat emptor”…….Perilous…!!

The young executives on the block believe that to remain relevant and successful in the universe of business and government, they have to be seen shaking hands with those who are known and seen as powerful individuals. In this regard, their quest starts with efforts to get invited to all types of functions and gatherings, wherever the presence of the “perceived elite” is either promised or assured.

I have witnessed occasions of funeral services or meetings in memoriam being nakedly used for the purposes of “networking”. At a burial ground, a photographer present attempted to “direct” a Mr Somebody to move closer to the grave, enabling him to get a “proper shot”! How much more can this quest for networking be? The pictures from such occasions of tragedy and sadness are liberally splashed across the ever-hungry watchers of social media. Networking is seen as success on the way… how tragic. And how feeble is the thought of being recognised. Despicable.

Networking per se is not a negative pursuit or behaviour. However, for this activity to remain within the realm of acceptability, it must meet certain conditions. Networking can give advantage only if there is talent, skills, and ability to show. Any other trait, if present, must not be put to use. There should be no ambiguity between networking and bootlicking. No, they are not synonymous.

Networking is done with an erect spine. At any place, if the spine has to stoop to network, it is decimation of professional attitude and behaviour; such practices are so non-prevalent that it is best not to attempt to network with anyone.

There are some who lavishly throw names into conversations to attract the interest of listeners, to induce opportunities for networking. Many are foolish enough to mention names of people who may have been present at a seminar attended by hundreds, including the loud-mouthed boaster. It is like saying, I know King Charles of the United Kingdom! (but he does not know me). Fickle is the mind that leads one to perform as a clown in the circus of the mad, mad corporate world.

In both the private sector and the government (bureaucracy and politicians included), there are plenty who subscribe to “networking with people” not because they are worthy to be befriended; nay, it is done only because there is a tail, an appendage, a suffix, a prefix attached to the name.

Why do bureaucrats, generals, and politicians write memoirs after retirement? Because in the present they are aware and confident that everybody will reach out to them, but once the “spotlight” is switched off and becomes non-existent, they desire to remain relevant.

Politicians and CEOs know best how fragile the structure of networking is; its life is limited to the tenure of the office held. Those who seek to network all the time, at the cost and compromise of family, realise only later what sorry priority they gave to networking.

As President of a financial institution, I received invitations to weddings, birthdays, memorial meetings, graduation celebrations of nieces, nephews, sons, daughters, children and grandchildren. All such invites were neatly plotted in colour codes into the diary by the super-efficient secretary. I would not attend most. Upon being questioned by colleagues as to why I did not take invitations seriously, I reminded them that the invitation was for the “President” and not me. The President is a busy person and cannot attend to all invitations. There has to be clarity: to sacrifice personal time and family life if the institution, for its growth, requires presence—surely those invites must be accepted. If, however, there is fog in the mind that “I am invited because I am popular”, it is a deception of great magnitude, untold. Such affliction is cured by retirement.

Recently, at a corporate event where senior business and professional leadership were present to discuss the way forward for our economy, the conference got hijacked by politics. The speakers (politicians only) got caught in debates, to the chagrin of organisers and attendees. In the audience were a large number who had come to “network” and were visibly unconcerned with the proceedings. A good opportunity to discuss and make serious recommendations for improvements in various sectors was lost to political diatribe in the most unprofessional manner.

The legitimacy of “networking” is dependent upon honesty and integrity of purpose. If networking is to be done by either a compromise or a negotiability of “values”, it is not a networking venture. To the young readers and executives, remember: only hard work, sweat, and toil will take you places, and certainly not “networking”.

Take this free advice: spend time with family, take care of your health. There is no need to spend time attending frivolous functions; there is no need to become a social person. You must know your priorities. If there is a compelling desire to become known, remember there is only pride and vanity masked in the self-misbelief of being popular and acceptable.

Sirajuddin AzizThe writer is a Senior Banker & Freelance Columnist.

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