You're navigating a competitive industry. How do you stay true to yourself while networking?

By taking the time to reflect on your core values and goals, you create a clear sense of direction that can guide your interactions. It ensures that your conversations are authentic and aligned with what you truly stand for, making it easier to connect with others who share similar values or who can support your objectives.

Absolutely! Reflecting on your values and goals before a networking event is crucial for meaningful connections. I advocate for this self-awareness as it helps you stay true to your principles and navigate conversations with clarity. Knowing what you stand for allows you to communicate more effectively and forge connections with individuals who align with your vision. While you might not connect with everyone, those you do will likely be more aligned and impactful, leading to more fruitful and authentic professional relationships.

"Introspection principle" — the necessity of self-reflection for significant life choices. This kind of introspection helps clarify priorities and aspirations, allowing a more authentic engagement with others. By being aware of what I stand for, I can foster deeper and more meaningful relationships, rather than superficial connections based on solely on social convenience.

Clearly define your values, goals, and strengths. By understanding what you stand for and what you want to achieve, you can navigate networking opportunities authentically. This self-awareness will help you build genuine connections and maintain integrity, even in a highly competitive environment.

Prioritizing authenticity is key to building meaningful professional relationships. I stress that trying to impress by mirroring others often leads to superficial connections. By sharing your true passions, struggles, and successes, you foster genuine interactions and create a space where others feel comfortable being authentic as well. This honesty not only helps you feel more at ease but also paves the way for deeper, more impactful connections that are built on mutual understanding and trust.

Authenticity is a big word. In fact, it's too big that it doesn't mean anything anymore. I prefer consistency — consistency of my truth with what I do and say. That's difficult because that's integrity in action. One way to catch myself is by pausing for at least 7 seconds before answering an important question. I do this to avoid the b*llshit. The pause gives me time to be honest, to be relevant, to be generous, to be true.

I should focus on developing rare and valuable skills that can be leveraged to create work I enjoy — this aligns with the idea of being selective about advice and opportunities ensuring I align with my personal goals and values.

By seeking out individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences, I can gain new insights and ideas that may not have occurred to me otherwise. This diversity of thought can lead to creative solutions and help me adapt to changing circumstances in my industry.

Collaboration over competition —?success is often not just about individual achievement but about how I can contribute to the success of others. By fostering collaborative mindset rather than a competitive one, I create an environment where everyone can thrive. Trust and reputation — when I am known for being supportive and collaborative, I attract others who share similar values, creating a network that is rich in resources and opportunities. This trust can lead to more meaningful connections and open doors for collaboration and support in the future.