The Power of Networking: Building Meaningful Connections for Personal and Professional Growth

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen

Networking is often hailed as one of the most important skills for advancing your career, growing a business, or uncovering new opportunities—yet few of us ever get a playbook on how to do it well.

This episode of Inspired Money brings together world-class experts to share actionable insights and personal stories that bust common networking myths, reveal powerful techniques for building authentic relationships (even if you’re an introvert!), and demonstrate how community can be your greatest professional asset.

Whether you're looking to build your dream network, form lasting partnerships, or simply get better at making meaningful connections, this episode is filled with strategies you won't want to miss.

Meet the Expert Panelists

Susan RoAne is the bestselling author of How to Work a Room® and a trailblazing networking expert known as "The Mingling Maven®." With over a million books sold and decades on the speaking circuit, she equips audiences worldwide with practical, witty advice on how to connect and communicate with confidence in any room—virtual or in person. https://www.susanroane.com 

J. Kelly Hoey is a networking expert, author, and speaker known for her groundbreaking approach to relationship building in the digital age. Her book Build Your Dream Network and dynamic talks help professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives leverage both in-person and online networks to unlock new opportunities and drive success. https://jkellyhoey.co   

David Spinks is a leading voice in the community-building movement and the author of The Business of Belonging. As the cofounder of CMX, he helped shape the modern discipline of community strategy, supporting organizations like Google, Facebook, and Airbnb in building communities that drive impact and belonging. Today, David works as an executive coach to founders and community leaders, helping them lead with integrity, navigate transitions, and build more conscious, connected communities. book, and Airbnb to build thriving, event-driven communities that create lasting impact. https://davidspinks.com  

Matthew Pollard, known as the Rapid Growth guy, is responsible for five multimillion-dollar business success stories. Today, Forbes calls him “the real deal,” Global Gurus lists him as a Top 30 Sales Professional, and SellingPower Magazine just named him their 2023 Sales Kickoff Speaker of the Year. He’s also the founder of Introvertu.com and the bestselling author of The Introvert’s Edge book series, which has sold over 100,000 copies and been translated into 15 languages. https://matthewpollard.com 

Key Highlights

Connection over Transaction Susan RoAne champions the power of bringing your true self to every interaction, transforming networking from a dreaded chore into a natural extension of who you are. She recommends ditching the elevator pitch in favor of meaningful pleasantries and relatable anecdotes: "Bring who you are to what you do. People connect with who you are. What you do is secondary."

Move from ‘Who You Know’ to ‘Who Knows What You Know’ J. Kelly Hoey emphasizes the era of digital presence: your online activity builds relationships around the clock, even while you sleep. Kelly advises, “Every human interaction is a chance to build a relationship... People may be looking up your digital presence any time.” Your expertise and reputation are shaped as much by your network as by your contributions, so curate your professional story online intentionally.

Build Community, Not Just a Rolodex David Spinks draws a sharp line between networking and community-building, advocating for a shift in perspective: “The best way to actually build your network is to build community.” Rather than trying to know everyone, focus on connecting others and fostering environments of trust, belonging, and shared purpose.

Introverts Can Be Master Networkers Matthew Pollard debunks the myth that extroversion is a prerequisite for networking success. His system is built on preparation, empathy, and curiosity—shifting the conversation from self-promotion to mission-driven dialogue: “The number one rule of networking is it’s not about you... Focus on the change you want to see, not just what you do for money.”

Call-to-Action

Your One-Week Challenge: Reach out to someone in your network you haven’t connected with in a while. Whether it’s a past colleague, mentor, or someone you admire, send them a thoughtful, agenda-free message to check in and reconnect. You never know what doors that conversation might open.

Find the Inspired Money channel on YouTube or listen to Inspired Money in your favorite podcast player. Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money