S1E10: Build your network authentically with Pat Hedley, Former Managing Director, General Atlantic The Mindful Leadership Podcast with Shahana Banerjee

Networking is superficial, transactional, and all about self promotion (ugh), I thought. I couldn’t have been more wrong‼️🤯



Pat loves networking. I hate it. 

It made for an exciting podcast full of busting myths,  stories and tips to network with authenticity. Here are just a few.



🚫 MYTHS ABOUT NETWORKING‼️



🚫 Myth : Networking is superficial, and transactional

✅ Reality : Nope! The goal of networking is to learn someone’s “2nd story”, and build lifelong relationships.



🚫 Myth : Networking is about self promotion 

✅ Reality : Nope! Networking is about curiosity, humility and a desire to learn. It works much better than trying to impress someone, especially senior execs.



🚫 Myth : Senior people don’t want to be bothered. Why would they spend time with me? What do I have to offer?

✅ Reality : Senior people want to give back, and want to share their wisdom, but have to be approached in the right way. Your life experiences and your current vantage point is unique and hence, enough.



🚫 Myth : Networking is for extroverts

✅ Reality : Nope. Pat describes herself as naturally reserved, intentionally curious. Her curiosity fuels her drive to network.



🚫 Myth : Networking is about the number of people you know

✅ Reality : Networking is about the depth of those relationships. A small number of deeper relationships is better than a large number of superficial ones.



Pat Hedley is an Independent Board director, TedX Speaker, Author of ‘Meet 100 People’ and former Managing Director at General Atlantic. She is on a mission to help people overcome their reluctance and tap into the power of networks to learn and grow. 

#career #leadership #networking #management