The Part of Networking We Don’t Talk About
by Lynda N Were
Today, I will share what I have hidden from many.
Unknown to many, networking doesn’t always come naturally to me; and not in the way people assume.
Yes, I meet people.
Yes, I engage easily in the moment.
Yes, I’m part of multiple networks and attend quite a number of events.
But the real challenge? It’s what happens after.
The follow-up. The check-in that doesn’t feel forced.
The hesitation: Am I being too much? Too available? Too needy?
Or worse. Have I waited too long, and now reaching out feels transactional and weird?
And then comes the bigger question……When you actually need support, how do you ask for it?
That leap from acquaintance to meaningful connection is where many of us quietly struggle.
So I’ve been asking myself:
What does real networking with purpose actually look like?
Is it about constantly giving?
Is it about mutual exchange?
Is it about timing, intention, or simply courage?
Because the truth is, proximity is not the same as connection. And access is not the same as alignment.
I’ve realized that many of us are “well-networked” on the surface, but still navigating uncertainty beneath it.
And whenever I find myself wrestling with something or noticing the same pattern among people around me, I take that as a signal: there’s a gap that needs to be addressed.
That’s part of the thinking behind Switch Conference 2026.
Not just another event but a structured journey around intentional networking.
Before: getting clear on the what, why, how, when, and where through guided webinars
During: thoughtfully curated seating and connections based on who you actually need to meet
After: because this is where most of us fall off — building systems and confidence to sustain and grow those connections
A three-in-one approach: before, during, and after.
My hope is simple. That together, we can move beyond surface-level interactions and become more intentional about building networks that are not just wide, but deep, meaningful, and mutually valuable.
Because perhaps the goal isn’t just to know more people……but to connect better with the ones we already know.
What has been your biggest challenge when it comes to turning connections into meaningful relationships? Share with me your thoughts.
