Most people wait for a mentor to find them or believe that supervisors automatically become mentors and that networking is only for extroverts, but these ideas can quietly damage your career growth. Career success isn’t built on hard work alone; it’s shaped by the people and relationships you build along the way.

In this episode of The Hard Skills, leadership advisor and psychologist Dr. Mira Brancu challenges two common career myths: that supervisors automatically become mentors and that networking is only for extroverts. She explores how mentorship can happen informally through observation and shared experiences, and explains the concept of “work netting,” an authentic approach to networking focused on meaningful connections rather than forced small talk. This episode offers practical insights on building supportive professional relationships, finding mentors naturally, and creating a strong foundation for long-term career growth and leadership success.

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Links to mentoring and networking blog posts on Psychology Today:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/202001/advancing-your-career-through-informal-mentoring 

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201908/how-to-improve-mentoring-relationships

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/new-look-womens-leadership/201905/the-roi-women-who-invest-in-networking

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-new-look-at-womens-leadership/201904/solutions-to-5-common-networking-challenges-for-women 

Link to Career Design Workshop Registration: 

https://luma.com/auobmkby

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