In this episode of Workday Playdate, Erin tackles the career skill most of us dread but desperately need: networking. If you break into a cold sweat at the words “elevator pitch” or feel like networking is just performance in business casual, this one’s for you.

Forget awkward small talk and robotic intros. Erin’s here to flip the script with her Simple, Sticky, Stress-Free Networking Rule that makes connecting with people feel more like improv night and less like a corporate casting call.

Inside This Episode:

• Why most networking advice makes you sound like a LinkedIn bot
• The “YES, AND Handshake” that instantly sparks connection
• The memory trick that ensures you never forget someone’s name again
• How to leave every convo with a laugh, a compliment, or a reason to reconnect
• One playful challenge to help you actually enjoy meeting new people this week

This episode is packed with practical tips, playful energy, and permission to be your full, human self, because people don’t connect with perfect. They connect with real.

Who This Episode Is For:

• The conference cringer
• The early-career pro tired of “networking feels fake”
• The team leader who wants to build better rapport
• Anyone who wants to feel excited instead of awkward at their next work event
• And if you’ve got a teammate who really needs this, send it their way. Let’s make networking suck less, together.

Feeling stretched thin but still trying to “stay positive”? Grab our free Positivity Without Pretending Toolkit. It’s a quick, honest reset for people leaders who want to show up without faking it. In five minutes or less, you’ll reframe, refuel, and lead with heart (even when you're running on fumes). Download it now and take the pressure off.

 

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

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