In this episode of Career Edit, I’m joined by Sean Hand, founder of Selling By Hand and author of the Amazon best-seller That Was Awkward: 7 Secrets of an Awkward Networker. Sean spent 15 years in a Big 4 consulting firm, generating over $150 million in new business and leading high-performing sales teams—so when it comes to networking, he knows what works.

We dive into why strong relationships are the foundation of every opportunity—whether you’re in a corporate role, sales, or building a business of your own. Sean shares his practical approach to keeping his network fresh and why reaching out or following up doesn't make you annoying—it makes you memorable. You’ll also hear simple, actionable tips to build real connections and turn those relationships into results.

We talk about:

• Why you shouldn’t feel awkward about following up

• How Sean manages and maintains a large, active network

• The idea that “revenue follows relationships”

• Fun, practical strategies to become a better networker

• The mindset shift that turns networking from transactional to transformational

If you're ready to rethink how you build and nurture your network, this one’s for you.

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Sean: Sell By Hand

• Sean’s book: That Was Awkward – available on Amazon

• Follow Sean on LinkedIn