Beyond Networking

How Relationships, Visibility, and Serendipity Shape Our Work

I recently sat on a faculty panel at the University of Michigan about enhancing your national reputation. It was meant to be a practical session on professional visibility — how to show up in ways that make others think of you when opportunities arise. In academics, this really matters. Promotions are based on national reputation. But how do you get there, particularly when you’re just starting out? As the panel began to share their experiences, I realized that my own story really wasn’t that unique. There were common elements shared by everyone on the panel. We all had benefitted from strong sponsors and being part of large, collaborative groups where it was easier to get early visibility.

But as the discussion unfolded, what also struck me was that we weren’t really talking about reputation at all. We were talking about networking. And like so many people, I’ve always had a complicated relationship with that word. “Networking” tends to conjure the image of awkward receptions, forced small talk, and nametag juggling. Yet the most successful people I know are also the most connected. They’re not necessarily the most extroverted or strategic. They’re simply intentional about how they show up for others. As as a result, opportunities have a way of finding them.

In the end, effective networking isn’t about collecting contacts. It’s about building relationships, maintaining visibility, and remaining open to the unexpected. Authenticity, presence, and curiosity form the foundation of a network that works and still feels deeply human.

Networking Is Relationship Building

If the word “networking” makes you cringe, it’s probably because it’s been incorrectly framed. Most people think of it as a transactional exercise, exchanging business cards. Who can help me, who should I meet, what can I gain? But genuine connection grows from the opposite instinct: curiosity and generosity. The most effective networkers ask thoughtful questions, remember details, and find small ways to get to know someone better because you are generally curious about their work and them as a person.

When I first was starting out, I would plan my professional conferences not just around sessions I found interesting, but also around where I could meet the people whose work I was most interested in. I would sit at the front, try for quick introductions. But this is just the first step towards meeting people and putting yourself out there. If I could, getting seats at the table where smaller discussions were happening and I could contribute an idea, even if it was just one, was even better. This is where not just mentors, but true sponsors, become invaluable. There’s something about breaking bread—literally sharing a meal—that builds connection in a way nothing else does. Those dinners and casual conversations often lead to opportunities you can’t predict.

When you approach networking as relationship building, everything changes. You stop performing and start listening. You move from selling yourself to learning about others, which people inherently sense. Even if you only get shorter exchanges, these small, authentic interactions can accumulate into a network of trust. You become the person others think of not because you asked for something, but because you invested in them long before you needed anything in return.

Visibility Builds Trust

In a world where much of our professional life happens online, visibility is no longer optional. It’s how people know what you stand for before they ever meet you. Yet visibility often gets mistaken for self-promotion. In reality, true visibility is about clarity, not volume. It’s about showing up consistently and meaningfully so others can understand your values, your expertise, and your point of view.

Being visible means contributing to conversations that matter. It might be writing an article, mentoring a student, or sharing an idea at a meeting. Every time you participate, you’re building familiarity with who you are and what is important to you. That familiarity breeds trust. It makes others more likely to reach out, collaborate, or recommend you, not because of your credentials alone but because they’ve already seen your integrity in action. Over time, consistent visibility turns reputation into recognition. It shortens the distance between introduction and opportunity and helps people see you, not as a stranger, but as someone they already know.

Weak Ties Can Expand Your World

While we often assume that our closest friends and colleagues will open the most doors, decades of research suggest otherwise. Sociologist Mark Granovetter famously described the “strength of weak ties.” This is the idea that our acquaintances, not our inner circle, are most likely to introduce us to new ideas and opportunities. It makes sense: the people we know best tend to know the same things we do. Our weaker connections occupy different networks, exposing us to information and possibilities that wouldn’t otherwise cross our path.

The challenge is that we tend to neglect these outer rings of connection. We forget to stay in touch with a former colleague, or we hesitate to reach out to someone we met once at a conference. So how do you keep weak ties alive? In my experience, it rarely works to force it. People don’t stay connected because of perfect networking systems. Rather, they stay connected because something genuine sparked between them. I’ve found that if you consistently share what you’re thinking about, writing about, or building, people who share your interests will find their way back to you. Some of the most exciting opportunities I’ve had come from weak connections. That said, a little intentionality helps. Sending a quick note when you read an article that reminds you of someone. Commenting thoughtfully on a post. Congratulating them on a milestone. It’s amazing how small gestures can keep a connection warm until it suddenly becomes relevant again.

The Upshot

Networking has earned a bad reputation because we’ve mistaken performance for connection. The best networks aren’t built at cocktail receptions or on LinkedIn. They’re built in the way we show up for others: genuine curiosity, steady visibility, and openness to those we don’t yet know well. So be the person who invests in relationships, not transactions. Be visible enough to be trusted. And remember, sometimes it’s the faintest connections that can change the course of our lives.