I used to think networking was just for extroverts, salespeople, or people trying to land their next job. Then I learned that real networking—the kind that builds trust, opens doors, and helps people stay and grow in their careers—is just consistent, human connection.

That realization shaped everything I do now.

Today, I split my time between two worlds:

At Retention and Rewards Partners, I work with HR leaders to solve complex problems around compensation, benefits, and employee retention. I’ve led total rewards teams through M&A deals, culture transformations, open enrollments, and board-level pay strategy. But underneath all the spreadsheets and systems is one simple goal: build workplaces where people want to stay.

And as the founder of The Introverted Networker, I teach professionals how to build strong relationships—without small talk, events, or pretending to be someone they’re not. I write a weekly newsletter, lead corporate workshops, and coach people on how to connect with others in a way that feels real and doable.

My work might look different depending on the day, but it’s all connected by one belief: when people feel seen, supported, and fairly treated, they stay. And when they build trusted relationships at work, they thrive.

If you care about building workplaces where people stay and succeed—or you’re trying to grow your network in a way that actually feels good—I’d love to connect.


Here are other ways I can help you:

⇨ Sign up for my newsletter, "The Introverted Networker," to get tips to improve your networking.

⇨ Get my FREE course, "5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network," to get the exact networking blueprint I follow every week to grow my own network.

⇨ Follow me to learn how to find new connections without going to networking events

⇨ Download my guide "15 Minute Networking"

⇨ Get my book "The Fast and Easy Guide To Networking For Introverts"

All the links for these resources are in my Featured section above!

The best way to contact me is via email: greg@gregsroche.com

Greg Roche

They don’t comment.
They don’t connect.
Then the layoff hits.

They only log into LinkedIn when it's too late.

A lot of people need to read this.

But they won't.

They aren't on LinkedIn today, 

So they won't see this post.

I search LinkedIn for people who do the same job in my area.

I try to connect so we can build a professional relationship.

I click on their profiles.

They have fewer than 500 connections.

They haven't commented or anything for years.

They've been at the same company for 8, 10, 20 years.

You know what this tells me?

They aren't networking.

They're telling themselves:

"𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗷𝗼𝗯."
"𝗜'𝗺 𝗮 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿."
"𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗯𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲?"

They never log into LinkedIn, until:

👎The company is acquired and their role is eliminated, or
👎Their boss retires and their new boss doesn't click, or
👎A global pandemic ruins the entire industry.

Then, they:

🚫Apply for jobs online.
🚫Re-write their resume.
🚫Practice answering interview questions.

It doesn't get them a job.

They've heard they need to grow their network, but they forgot:

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸.

If you know someone who doesn't engage on LinkedIn at least once a week, tell them:

✔️They need to grow their professional network.
✔️They need to connect with people on LI.
✔️They need to do it before they need it.

Today is the right time.
Tomorrow is too late.


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I teach introverts to be confident networkers.

If you want to start networking today,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

I teach professionals to connect and build trust. Founder Retention and Rewards Partners. Solving retention and total rewards challenges for HR leaders who need results, not more noise. Aka: The Introverted Networker.

There’s a reason networking gets a bad reputation.
These 5 types of people explain it.

The truth is, not everyone who networks does it well.

Some people give networking a bad name.

They turn what should be about relationships into a transaction.

Here are five types I see most often:

𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 Shows up only when they need something, like a job, referral, or favor. Then disappears.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗻 Keeps score. “If I give you something, I expect something back.” Networking isn’t math. It’s trust.

𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗲𝗿 Uses every conversation as a stage to talk about themselves. People leave feeling unseen and unheard.

𝟰. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗵𝗼𝘀𝘁 Starts strong. Sends a message. Has coffee once. Then disappears. Connection isn’t built in one interaction.

𝟱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 Measures success by how many contacts they have instead of how many they know. A full contact list isn’t the same as a real network.

If networking feels awkward or fake, it’s probably because you’ve run into one of these.

Real networking isn’t about collecting, pitching, or asking.

It’s about consistency, curiosity, and giving before you get.

P.S. - Thanks to Craig Davis, The King of LinkedIn Comments. His comment on yesterday's post inspired this one. Not following him? You should be!


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to join the mission to change the way the world feels about networking,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Your network gets you hired.
Not your resume.

What everyone thinks it takes to get a job:
• Snappy elevator pitch
• Professionally written resume
• Attention-grabbing cover letter
• Impressive follow-up thank you letter
• Unique answers to all the interview questions

What most people are missing:
• A vibrant, professional network, that's
• Committed to introducing one another to
• Opportunities and connections that are mutually beneficial

If you're focused on the first set of bullet points without the second,

You're not going to get the results you want.

Spend 80% of your job search on the second set and 20% on the first.

Not sure how?

1. Send your former co-workers an email or a LI message saying, "I thought of you today and realized we haven't spoken in a while. How have you been?"

2. As your get responses, turn these online interactions into real world conversations.

3. Ask people about themselves and listen for opportunities to help.

4. Figure out what you can give. Give advice, recommendations, or introductions.

5. Create a target list of companies or people to whom you want to be introduced.

6. Give this list to your connections to make it easy for them to help you meet someone new.

7. When your connection introduces you to someone new, go back to step 2 and repeat.

This is The Connection Loop.
This is how you network.

It takes time.
Start today.


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

From fired to founder: how one layoff taught me the most important lesson of my career.

In the fall of 2012, my boss walked into my office and said: 
“I’m eliminating your position.”

I didn’t know it in the moment,
But, my life would never be the same.

In the following weeks, a lot happened.
I prepared to leave the company where I worked for the past nine years.

I also realized I had no network to help me find a job.

In the process of finding my next job, 

I learned how to network.

And after I started my next job, I kept networking.

Over the next 13 years, I grew my network with small, daily and weekly actions.

• I started teaching other people how to do it
• I started a newsletter about it
• I wrote a book about it

When I started my own company, Retention and Rewards Partners, I tapped into my network to find clients.

Everything I have in my career today is a result of my network.
It is the most valuable asset I have.

But, if my boss hadn’t fired me that day, 
I never would've learned this lesson, 

And I wouldn't have been able to share it with you.

P.S. - If you have been recently laid off, I know it's a struggle. It's happened to me twice.

But, you're likely to end up in a better situation than the one you left.

My DMs are open if you need help or advice.

You’re networking like everyone else.
Which is why it’s not working.

Most people think there's one way to network.

But after teaching thousands of people how to build real connections,

I’ve learned there are different 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 of networkers.

And each one struggles for a different reason.

Here are five I see most often:

𝟭. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 They’ve been laid off or fear it’s coming. They know relationships matter but don’t know where to start again.

𝟮. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 They do great work, but no one outside their immediate team knows it. Their network has stalled inside their own company.

𝟯. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 They manage others but want to create stronger connection and trust across teams. They care about culture but feel alone driving it.

𝟰. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 They’re highly skilled, think physicians, lawyers, engineers, but their work leaves little time for peer connection. It’s lonely at the top.

𝟱. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 They’re early in their career and eager to learn, but unsure how to reach out or what to say.

Each one needs a different approach to networking.

Knowing which one you are will help you focus your efforts to get the networking results you're looking for.

In my latest issue of 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳, I explain these types in detail.

And help you figure out which one you are.

Which kind of networker are you?


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

If you think it’s too late to start networking, read this.

I get message from people all the time that say:
 "I should have started networking sooner," 

If that's you, here's my response:

There's no shame in it.

I was right there with you 13 years ago when I lost my job.

• I never reached out to people.
• I didn't stay in touch with former co-workers.
• I wasn't offering little bits of value to my network.

The same place you are right now.

And, I learned how to grow my network one small step at a time.

It wasn't easy.

At the time, I thought I'd never find my next job.

But, I kept at it.
Kept talking to people.

Finally, It paid off.

When I landed my next job, I promised myself I'd never be "under-networked" again.

I kept networking even though I didn't need a job.
It was the easiest networking I've ever done.

Now, I teach people how to network because I know how it feels to have no idea where to start.

Each time I hear from someone who says,

"I know I should have been networking. Now, I'm behind and trying to catch up,"

I see myself all those years ago.

But, I don't judge them.

I don't think,

"I've been here on LinkedIn every day for the past 4+ years talking about networking before you need it.

Where have you been?"

Ok, maybe that's the first thought I have, but it's quickly replaced with...

"Let me show you what I've learned."

So, if you're in the middle of a job search,
All I've got to say is:

"It's ok. We've all been there.
Don't lose hope. It'll get better."


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to join the mission to change the way the world feels about networking,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

8 years ago, on my birthday, I got a package at work:
A separation package.

I didn't get let go on my birthday.

It happened a couple of weeks earlier.

But my birthday was my last day.

The departure was amicable.
I went to work every day.

I believe, if you can, show up until the last day.
The memory people keep of you is the last one.

If you go out with your head high, in a respectful way, that's what they'll remember.

Don't ghost your co-workers.
Don't talk bad about your leaders.
Don't re-create the quitting scene from Jerry Maguire.

Even if that's what you want to do.

Three weeks after my birthday, I got another present.
I started my next role working in a larger company with more opportunity.

I activated my network when I found out I was being let go,
And quickly landed another job.

The role lead to bigger and bigger roles,
With more responsibility and money.

It allowed me to grow my credibility and savings.
It also allowed me to grow my Introverted Networker brand on LI and my newsletter.

7 years later, I launched my own company.

Who knows what would've happened if I hadn't turned in my badge and laptop on my birthday in 2017.

But my point is this:

If you're facing a job loss,
Today's end, is tomorrow's beginning.

Tomorrow, the story starts a new chapter.
It's a blank page.

You get to write whatever you want on it.

I learned this lesson when I turned 43.

And it's the best birthday gift I ever received.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

A lot of people don't believe it
But, this is the best time of the year to network. 

This is the season of gratitude and generosity.

In the U.S., Thanksgiving lands at the end of November. 
All month, we're pausing to reflect on everything we have.

We roll into December and give to others in the spirit of the religious holidays in the month.

Two mindsets:

• Gratitude
• Generosity

These are the most important mindsets in networking.

Gratitude grounds us appreciating what we have,
Which leads us to being generous with it and giving it to others.

Without these, you're networking with a scarcity mindset.

You're focused on what you need in the moment.
Not what you can give to others.

Your networking will be transactional and superficial.

When you're focused on gratitude and generosity,
You'll be thinking of others.

When we help others, we grow deeper relationships.

The power of reciprocity kicks in and what we put in the world comes back to us, often in multiples.

This time of year, more people are in the gratitude and generosity mindset.

More people are thinking in terms of abundance.

So, don't pack it in and stop connecting between now and the end of the year.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

What are you doing today to reach out with gratitude and generosity?

This 1-page list got me more job leads than any resume ever did.

Most people sabotage their own networking without realizing it.

They show up to meetings with good intentions.
They share their story.
They bring energy.

And then they ruin the whole thing by doing one thing:
They hand over their resume.

I used to do it, too.

Years ago, after getting laid off, I was meeting anyone who would talk to me.

I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and hoping someone, anyone, would open a door.

One day, a former colleague stopped me mid-conversation and said:

“Stop giving people your resume. Give them direction.”

That’s when I learned about something that changed everything for me:

The Target Company List.

It’s simple:
A Target Company List is a short, clear list of companies you’d love to learn more about or possibly work for.

It’s not fancy.
It’s not laminated.
But it 𝘪𝘴 specific.

And specific is what helps people help you.

Here’s why it works:

When someone asks “How can I help?”, your resume makes their brains freeze.

They don’t know what you actually want.
They don’t know who to send it to.
So nothing happens.

But if you hand them your Target Company List and ask:
“Do you know anyone at any of these companies?”

Now the answer is easy.
Yes or no.

If it’s yes, you get a warm introduction.
If it’s no, you can ask if they know anyone at 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘳 companies.

Either way, the conversation moves forward.

The Target Company List forces you to be clear.

Clear about how someone can help you.
Clear about where you’re aiming.
Clear about what you want.

And clarity is what turns a casual chat into real momentum.

If you’re networking right now, especially after a layoff, build your list.

Bring it to your next conversation.

You’ll be surprised how many doors open when you stop handing people your resume and start giving them a map.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to join the mission to change the way the world feels about networking,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

If starting conversations feels like the hardest part of networking, you’re not alone.

In yesterday's poll, it was the #1 networking challenge people face.

Here’s the good news:
You don’t have to start with strangers.

You can start with people who already know you.

The goal isn’t to send a perfect message.

The goal is to restart the relationship and eventually talk like real humans again.

Start simple:
“Hey, it’s been a while. How are things going?”

That’s it.

No ask.
No pitch.
No favor.
No résumé.
No “can we chat about opportunities?”

A few reminders if this still feels awkward:
• You’re not cold-messaging.
• These people already know your name.
• You don’t need a “reason.”
• A delayed reply isn’t rejection. People are busy

When they respond, try to move from online message → real conversation

Focus the conversation on them.

Be curious, not impressive.

Because networking grows most when you go from messages to conversations

If Starting Conversations is your sticking point, you’re not broken.

You’re just one message away from momentum.

Try it this week:

Pick one person from your past and send that simple line.

Then let me know how it goes.


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to join the mission to change the way the world feels about networking,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

There are 3 types of people you need in your network:
+, -, and =

"+" People who are ahead of you. They have knowledge and experience you can tap into.

"-"  People who are behind you. They can benefit from your knowledge and experience.

"=" People who are even with you. They share the same challenges and successes.


It's easy to focus on the people ahead of you in your networking efforts.

Don't forget to connect with people who are even with or behind you.

Everyone can be a networking connection, if you're having great networking conversations.

And, you never know who you might help,

Or who might help you.

P.S. - If you are looking for help having great networking conversations, this week's newsletter issue is for you: https://lnkd.in/evrUMZxZ



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Open article: Why Starting Networking Conversations Feels Hard (and How to Fix It) by open.substack.com

Why Starting Networking Conversations Feels Hard (and How to Fix It)

There are 5 types of networkers,
And you’ll probably be all of them.

The type of networker you are today won’t always be who you are tomorrow.

When you start your career, networking might mean finding mentors or your first big opportunity.

Later, it might mean becoming more visible inside your company.

And eventually, it becomes about building trust, helping others, or creating a more connected culture.

Your approach has to evolve with your career.

I’ve learned there are five main 𝘵𝘺𝘱𝘦𝘴 of networkers, and most of us move through several of them over the course of our careers:

1. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗿 – getting back on your feet after a layoff or career change.
   
2. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 – doing great work, but not enough people know it.
   
3. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 – focused on helping your team or organization build trust.
   
4. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 – highly skilled, but missing true peer connection.
   
5. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 – just getting started and figuring out where to begin.

You’ll recognize yourself in one of these right now, but that’s only your 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵.

No matter which one you are today or tomorrow,

You need an approach to networking that will support each stage of your career.

That's why I teach The Connection Loop to everyone no matter where they are in life.

Last week I taught it to a group of business owners to help them drive referrals.

Today, I'm teaching it to a group of job seekers looking for that next role.

It works for any type of networker.

Want to learn it?

I talk about it every week in my newsletter.

Not a subscriber, join for FREE today:
https://lnkd.in/ece-r3kB


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to join the mission to change the way the world feels about networking,

Do one of these:
✅ Subscribe to my newsletter-click link on top of the post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Open article: The Introverted Networker | Greg-The Introverted Networker | Substack by theintrovertednetworker.substack.com

The Introverted Networker | Greg-The Introverted Networker | Substack

Think the holidays are a bad time to network?
Watch this classic holiday movie.

If you’ve ever watched “It’s a Wonderful Life,” you already know why this time of year is actually the 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 time to reconnect with people.
 
George Bailey isn’t a great networker because he’s charismatic.

He’s a great networker because he gives.
 
He shows up when others need him.
He helps the people around him.
He supports his community.
 
And when his life falls apart, those same people flood into his home to give back to him.
 
That’s how networking works.
 
You don’t need to chase strangers or make perfect small talk.

You start with the people already in your world.
You give something small and meaningful.
You make their lives a little easier.
 
Advice. Introductions. Recommendations.

Or, more simply: Encouragement.
 
When you give without expecting anything in return, people want to reciprocate.

Not instantly.
Not perfectly.
But eventually.

Often when it matters most.
 
This is why the holidays are an ideal time to reconnect.
 
People feel grateful.
They’re more reflective.
They’re more generous.
 
Reach out to someone you haven’t talked to in a while.
Tell them they came to mind.
Ask how their year has been.
 
You’re not “networking.”
You’re doing what George Bailey did.
You’re investing in the people around you.
 
If you give consistently, your community becomes your safety net.

And, this time of the year, is the best time to do it.

 
P.S. I'm writing about how to network during the holidays in this week's newsletter.

Not a subscriber? 

Sign up for FREE when you hit the link under my headline at the top of the post ☝️

Most people don’t hate networking.
They hate how they 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 it will feel.

They struggle because starting a conversation feels awkward.
 
Here’s a mindset shift that makes it much easier:
 
Put yourself in the other person's shoes.
 
If a former coworker messaged you today and said,

“Hey, it’s been a while. How have you been?”

You wouldn’t roll your eyes.
You’d probably feel good that they thought of you.
 
If someone at work said,
“How’s your week going?

You wouldn’t panic.
You’d answer the question.
 
And if someone asked for a small, specific favor,
You’d try to help if you could.
 
When you look at it from the other perspective,
The fear starts to fade.

You stop worrying about being judged.
You realize you’re not bothering anyone.
You’re doing something thoughtful.
 
A few simple ways to start the conversation:
 
• Online: “You came to mind this week and I wanted to see how you’re doing.”
  
• In person: “What are you looking forward to this month?”
  
• Follow-up: “I'd love to learn more about that. Want to jump on a quick call sometime next week?”
 
You don’t need perfect lines.
You just need to see the interaction through their eyes.
 
This week, try one small thing:

Message one person you haven’t talked to in a while.
Start one short conversation with someone at work.
 
If the roles were reversed, you’d appreciate it.
 
That’s why it works.

This weeks' newsletter gives you more scripts for having networking conversations. It drops tomorrow morning for my subscribers: https://lnkd.in/ece-r3kB

If networking feels awkward or exhausting, this might be why…

Have you ever felt like you should be better at networking by now?

You’re not alone, and you’re not broken.

Networking isn’t about being outgoing, confident, or perfectly polished.

It’s built on five small habits, and most of us are only doing one or two consistently.

Here's the list of the five habits:

1. Identify Who You Know: knowing which people you want to connect with
   
2. Start Conversations: reaching out in a friendly, low-pressure way
   
3. Provide Value: offering something thoughtful or helpful
   
4. Be Easy To Help: clearly sharing what you’re exploring or who you want to meet
   
5. Make It A Habit: doing it consistently, not just when you need something

This week in my newsletter, I'm sharing a 5-question self-assessment to help you see where your networking habit breaks down, and what to do about it. 

Not a subscriber? You can join here for FREE: https://lnkd.in/ece-r3kB

Now I’m curious…which stage is hardest for you right now? Tell me in the poll.

P.S. - If your answer would have been “𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗜𝘁 𝗔 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁,” comment below and just type 𝗛𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁, and I'll count it in the results.

Which networking habit is hardest for you right now?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Ehsan Ali 🚀

Careerly360

Who do I help?

Senior IT professionals, Managers and Leaders who are feeling UNDERVALUED, UNFULFILLED or INSECURE.

You want to overcome one or more of these challenges:
① You've hit your income ceiling
② You get ignored for promotions
③ You do not feel respected at work
④ You're in the same job for many years
⑤ You’re not growing despite changing jobs
⑥ You're performing roles below your capability
⑦ You get good, but not outstanding performance review
⑧ You’ve lost job and facing challenges in landing the right role  
⑨ You don't feel inspired by your work, you do it just to pay bills

Book a 10-minute discovery call with me to find out IF and HOW I can help you -  https://calendly.com/coachehsan/discovery

Certified Master Career Coach

Empowering Indian Expats Podcast

Australia's 1st Business & Career podcast featuring inspiring stories of Indian Expats who either successfully transitioned into entrepreneurship or excelled in their careers beyond the perceived limitations and ceiling

Podcast Host & Producer

TCS Australia

	Led multiple high-profile client engagements (Commonwealth Bank, Colonial First State, CommInsure, Westpac, St George) and generated over $50 million.

	Became an expert in building zero-to-10-million-dollar revenue in 24 months flat.

	Built and led large global delivery teams from zero to up to 150.

	Led delivery teams across multiple service lines – Software Development, Service Delivery, Proprietary and Third-party software implementation & integration, Process Optimisation, Legacy Systems Modernisation, Regulatory Compliance, CRM, Marketing…

Enterprise Account Manager

HCL Australia

	Led transition of a large application portfolio – 108 Enterprise Systems - across all divisions of Commonwealth Bank.

	Contributed to defining the organisation wide ITIL based Service Delivery Framework

	Led a portfolio of small to medium size projects with a peak team size of 100

Program Manager

	Led a technology upgrade of Standard Chartered Bank’s payment internet channel with peak team size of 35 and a budget of $1.4 million 

	Recruited and trained 100+ professionals to deliver Standard Chartered Bank’s ambitious hi-tech projects

Senior Project Manager

iNautix Technologies

	Led multiple projects in stock trading back office for its parent companies (Credit Suisse First Boston, Pershing, Bank of New York)
	Led the setup of first global delivery team for Bank of New York at iNautix India

Project Lead and Consultant

Top-Ranked Australian Career Coach | Helped 100+ Senior IT Pros Land $200K–$400K+ Roles | 2–4 Level Jumps. 30%–120% Raises. | Take the 3-Min Quiz & Uncover Your Hidden Growth Blockers

You crushed the first half of your career (15–20 years).
You learned, progressed, got recognised.

Then the game changed.
You entered the second half, expecting momentum to continue.
Instead, you hit a wall:

➞ The next level feels out of reach
➞ Offers are lower than last year
➞ Even a like-for-like move is harder

What’s going on?

No one told you the second-half rules are different.
The 2010 playbook is outdated for 2025 and beyond.

So despite real credibility, you feel stuck.
Underpaid. Undervalued. Invisible.
Wondering, “Is this as far as I can go?”

I have been there.
22 years in IT. Leadership roles. $100M delivered.
Still hit a wall.

So I built the playbook I wish I’d had.

Fast forward 4 years:

120+ senior IT professionals have used my Value Amplifier Method™ to reach goals they thought were out of reach:

🚀 Tym, Senior Director: 18 months jobless → 2 offers over $300K in 8 weeks
🚀 Alka, Cyber Analyst: Burnt out → Big4 Director in 7 months; global thought leader in 12
🚀 Seema, IT PM: 11-year plateau → $100K raise and a career comeback
🚀 Urvish, S/W Engineer: Laid off → Senior Principal in 10 weeks. Director in 12 months

What changes with the Value Amplifier Method™?

➞ Raise your market value by 30%+ without new skills or certificates
➞ Repackage first-half wins to land bigger roles at the right companies

The 3 pillars:

1. Clarity - Focus where you’re premium, not replaceable
2. Communication - Tell a proof-first story leaders can’t ignore
3. Connection -  Build trusted access to decision-makers before jobs go public

You don’t need to be loud or extroverted. 
This works for introverts, migrants, late bloomers, and quiet high performers.

Worried the next year will look like the last?

Start by getting clear on what’s really holding you back.

Take the Growth Readiness Quiz — 1,200+ IT leaders already have.

- It's 100% free
- Takes just 2 minutes
- Get instant recommendations

👉 careerly360.scoreapp.com
.

Ehsan Ali

The Iron Bar Analogy That Transformed My Career

I once believed I was just another IT Manager.

Some skills.
Decent salary.
Doing fine.

But deep down?
I knew I wasn’t operating at my fullest potential.

I felt like raw material, waiting to be shaped by external circumstances.

Then I came across this analogy:

A bar of iron is worth $100.

- Turn it into horseshoes? $250
- Sewing needles? $70,000
- Watch springs? $6 million
- Laser components? $15 million

Same iron.
Same weight.
Same starting point.

The difference is what it becomes.
And the process it undergoes.

Our careers mirror this transformation.

Our value is determined by what we make of ourselves.

We all start with potential.​

But it’s: 
The shaping,
The refining,​
The evolving,​
The becoming,​

That changes everything.

This realization changed my life.
It helped me break free from career stagnation.

Now, I help others do the same.

Not by chasing titles.
but by unlocking their true potential.

So if you feel like raw material right now...

The version of you worth millions? It’s already in there.

You just haven’t shaped it yet.

It’s time to shape it. To become it.

What’s stopping you?

♻️ Repost to share with someone who needs this reminder.
🔔 Follow me (Ehsan Ali) for more insights on transforming your IT career.

Career Strategist for Indian-Origin Senior IT Pros in Australia | $250K–$400K+ Tech Leadership Roles | 120+ Breakthroughs | Value Amplifier Method™

Leadership doesn’t fail in one big moment.
It fails in quiet ones.

The skipped recognition.
The misplaced promotion.
The loyalty that went unnoticed.

Promote the wrong people, and the cost isn’t poor performance.
It’s losing the ones who made performance possible.

Because loyalty doesn’t fade from laziness.
It fades when leaders reward noise over value.

I learned that the hard way.

Years ago, I worked with a team built on quiet excellence.
No politics. No drama. 
Just consistency anchored by one calm problem solver.

He never chased credit.
Never played games.
Just delivered. Every. Single. Time.

Then leadership made the classic mistake:
They rewarded the talker, not the doer.

The one who impressed in meetings got the promotion.
The one who performed under pressure got a thank-you note.

And just like that, the team’s pulse changed.
Energy dipped.
Deadlines dragged.
And that quiet star, the one who held everything together, began to fade.

One night, fixing another crisis someone else caused, he said:
“Ehsan, it’s hard to stay loyal when leadership stops rewarding loyalty.”

He left weeks later.
Not for money. For meaning.

That’s when it hit me:
You don’t lose your best people overnight.
You lose them one bad decision at a time.

Every promotion tells a story:
👉 Politics or performance?
👉 Visibility or substance?
👉 Noise or integrity?

Loyalty isn’t built through policies.
It’s built through perception.
Through the choices leaders make when no one’s watching.

Visibility isn’t the villain.
It’s the mirror showing what leaders choose to see.

When they reward the loudest instead of the loyal,
they don’t just lose trust.
They lose the foundation.

The quiet ones who kept it all together.

How long would you keep giving your best when leadership stops noticing?

♻️ Repost to remind leaders: Recognition isn’t noise, it’s nourishment.
🔔 Follow Ehsan Ali for real talk on leadership, loyalty, and building IT careers that outlast the noise.

Top-ranked Australian Career Coach | Helping Senior IT pros land $200K–$400K+ roles in ~90 days | 120+ client wins | Take the growth readiness quiz: uncover your real blockers

I thought my title made me safe.
It didn’t.

22 years in IT.
Massive projects. Huge teams. $100M delivered.

I thought that was my worth.
My role.
My project.
My title.

Then—
A new manager.
A cancelled program.
A restructure.

In weeks, everything I thought was “mine”… wasn’t.

That’s when it hit me:

Security was never in the title.
It was never in the company.
It was never in the team.

Real security lives in something no reorg can erase.
A mission that outlasts titles.
A purpose that pulls you forward when the org chart flips overnight.

I’ve watched 100+ IT pros go through this same free‑fall.
Some sank.
Some rose.

The ones who rose?

✅ Defined what drives them beyond titles
✅ Stayed curious about their deeper purpose
✅ Rebuilt around a mission, not just a paycheck

That’s the same shift I made.
And now, I guide others through it too.

So pause and ask yourself:
If your job vanished tomorrow, what would still pull you forward?

👍 If this landed, hit like
♻ Share with someone whose “safety” is too fragile
➕ Follow Ehsan Ali for career reinvention, IT leadership growth, and building $250K–$400K+ careers that last

You’re not asking for too much.
You’re just asking the wrong people.

They keep telling you:
“Be patient.”
“Be grateful.”
“Your time will come.”

It hasn’t.
It won’t.
And deep down, you know it won’t. Not there.

You stayed loyal.
They stayed blind.
You shrank.
They benefited.

But deep down?

You know you’ve outgrown them.
The title.
The team.
The culture.

But it’s not you that’s the problem.
It’s the room that stopped growing with you.

And it’s costing you more than a promotion.
It’s costing you belief.

Not in them.
In yourself.

If that’s where you are,
you don’t need more patience.
You need new people who see what you bring.

♻️ Repost this if you’ve ever questioned your standards.
🔔 Follow Ehsan Ali for career clarity that doesn’t shrink you.

The 4 Channels of Job Hunting — and How to Activate Each

If your whole job search depends on online applications, you’re playing the weakest game.

Less than 20% of senior roles are filled through job boards.
The other 80%? They move through networks, referrals, and visibility.

If you’re serious about your career, you need all four channels firing together:

1️⃣ Online Applications – play it smart, not wide. Tailored positioning, not 100 clicks.
2️⃣ Warm Intros – the hidden goldmine. One trusted recommendation beats 50 cold resumes.
3️⃣ Cold Outreach – thoughtful, relevant messages that start conversations (not beg for jobs).
4️⃣ Inbound – when your LinkedIn, story, and visibility do the heavy lifting for you.

Most professionals use one channel badly.
Top performers master all four.

I just wrote a short guide showing what 10/10 execution looks like for each —
and how to activate them strategically, step by step.

DM CHANNELS and I’ll send it to you.

♻️ Repost to help more professionals stop playing the weakest job search game.
🔔 Follow me, Ehsan Ali, for frameworks that make career moves strategic, not lucky.

taplio

The Battle

Greg Roche

Ehsan Ali

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreGreg Roche's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreEhsan Ali's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Greg Roche

Ehsan Ali

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Greg Roche's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreEhsan Ali's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreGreg Roche's LinkedIn Performance