Your Networking Superpower Isn't Your Pitch
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Over the past few weeks, we’ve been unpacking the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success from the book The Go-Giver and showing how each one can make you a more intentional, generous, and effective networker.
So far we’ve covered:
#1 The Law of Value: Focus less on what you’ll get from a conversation and more on what you can give.
#2 The Law of Compensation:Your opportunities grow when you serve more people and nurture ongoing relationships, not just new ones.
#3 The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people's interests first.
Now, Onto #4: The Law of Authenticity
The most valuable thing you have to offer is yourself.
We know… cue the collective eye roll. “Just be authentic” might be the most overused advice in networking, right behind “bring business cards” and “have a firm handshake".
But authenticity isn’t about baring your soul or saying whatever pops into your head.
It’s about showing up as a real person, not a walking LinkedIn headline.
People relax around someone who isn’t trying to perform
What Authenticity Looks Like
in Networking
Real responses vs. Rehearsed ones.
If someone asks how you're doing and you had a chaotic morning, it’s okay to say, “Personally I'm a little scrambled, but excited to be here.”
Share the why, not just the what.“I help leaders communicate better” is fine.
“I do this because it drives me nuts when brilliant people go unnoticed” is authentic.
Let people see your personality.Sarcasm, enthusiasm, dad jokes, whatever is true for you.
Put It Into Networking Practice
At your next event, when someone asks how your week is going, resist the urge to give the default “Busy” or “Good!” and instead offer something real (not heavy, just honest).
Example:“Personally I'm a little tired, it's been a travel week, but I’ve been really energized by working on a new workshop about networking skills. What about you?”
This signals real human, not polished script. People can smell polished-but-fake from across the hors d’oeuvres. Authenticity is how you stand out without trying to stand out.
Practice Being Yourself
Come, show up as your authentic self at a Networking Practice Drill, a free 30-minute low-stakes, high-fun way to elevate your networking skills.
Or if you’re ready to take your networking from “nice chat” to “lasting impact,”
See You On the Practice Field,
Alyce, Keith, and Renee ~ The Articulated Intelligence Team
Articulated Intelligence develops practiced professionals who deliver results. Through practice-driven labs, facilitations, and keynotes, we develop professionals who communicate clearly, build strong relationships, and turn time spent networking, meeting, and presenting into measurable return.
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