This is your The Woman's Career Podcast podcast.
Welcome to The Woman’s Career Podcast. Let’s get straight into it, because networking is one of the most powerful levers you have for your career, whether you’re an introvert who loves depth or an extrovert who lights up a room.
According to the Center for Creative Leadership, networking is not schmoozing; it is the strategic building of relationships that give you resources, information, mentors, and sponsors who help you move forward. Harvard Business Review reports that women with strong, especially female, inner circles are far more likely to land senior and executive roles. Jacqueline V. Twillie, host of the Winning Season podcast, calls this your strategic inner circle: the women and allies who mention your name in rooms you are not in.
So let’s outline today’s episode. First, we get clear on why you are networking. Then we move into tailored strategies for introverts, followed by strategies for extroverts, and we close with universal habits that keep your network alive.
Start with intention. Ask yourself: in the next 12 months, what do I want my network to help me do? Maybe it’s a promotion at your current company, a pivot into tech, a mentor in finance, or a nonprofit board seat. Career coaches featured on the Career Change Maker Podcast emphasize that once women define their goals, networking stops feeling random and starts feeling like building your career infrastructure.
Now, introverts, this part is for you. Your strengths are reflection, deep listening, and thoughtful follow-up. Use environments that match your energy: one-on-one coffee chats, small meetups, online communities like LinkedIn groups, or professional book clubs. Before an event, prepare a calm elevator pitch: who you are, what you do, and what you’re exploring next. You do not need to work the entire room; aim for one or two meaningful conversations. Then lean into your superpower: follow-up. A simple message the next day saying, “I really appreciated your insight on leading in male-dominated teams,” can be more memorable than a big performance in the moment. Many women featured on podcasts like Winning Season and Women Career & Life credit those quiet, consistent follow-ups for turning brief encounters into long-term allies.
Extroverts, your ease with people is an incredible asset. Research highlighted by the Center for Creative Leadership shows that the most powerful networks are diverse across roles, ages, and backgrounds, so challenge yourself to go beyond your usual circle. At events like WomenTech Network meetups, industry conferences, or local Chamber of Commerce gatherings, set a clear goal: maybe you introduce three women to someone who can help them, or you start a small roundtable at work to connect women across departments. Use your visibility strategically: comment thoughtfully on senior leaders’ LinkedIn posts, volunteer for cross-functional projects, and ask for specific introductions, like “Can you connect me with someone in product marketing?” Mind Tools and other career platforms report that a large percentage of leaders, including women, attribute key opportunities and board seats to intentional, visible networking.
No matter your style, some principles are universal. Know and own your personal brand: what you are great at and what you want next, stated without shrinking. Follow up consistently with quick notes, shared articles, or quarterly check-ins. Offer value first: share resources, make introductions, and publicly celebrate other women’s wins. Research from Harvard Business Review and voices like Jacqueline V. Twillie remind us that women with strong, supportive female circles don’t just advance further; they feel more confident and less alone doing it.
Networking is not about collecting business cards or LinkedIn connections. It is about building a circle of people who grow with you, advocate for you, and who you uplift in return. Whether you are an introvert savoring deep conversation or an extrovert energizing the room, there is a networking approach that fits who you are.
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