I Don't Do Networking

I don’t do networking. Or rather, I don’t do networking as many people understand the concept.

I don’t wake up on Tuesday mornings and go to a networking group where you eat terrible eggs, drink bad coffee, and stand up to give a 60-second speech about what you do. I did that for a few weeks and I wanted to throw up. I’ve never had so many random people immediately hawking their products and services to me, immediately expecting that I would become a buyer and immediately refer them my friends.   No, thank you.  

I’ll be having dinner at the bar downstairs and someone will say, “JP, I’m headed to a networking event. Want to come?” No, thank you. I instinctively avoid any events that are billed as networking events. The lone exception is Cigar Chamber of Commerce events, because – as lots of people know – I like to smoke cigars and they always have some new, small label rollers there. But other than that, I steer clear.

I have zero interest in attending networking events. I’ve gone to networking events. I’ve gone to Chamber of Commerce networking events; networking events at a private social club; healthcare networking events and more. And you know what? I don’t like networking events.   No, it’s not that I’m doing it wrong. No, it’s not that I don’t get it. It’s that I just don’t like them.   So I don’t do them anymore. Ever.   I have no interest in trading business cards with twenty random people, most of whom I probably don’t even like. Because when I don’t like people, I make no secret of that fact. And besides, I don’t even carry business cards.

I am not downplaying the importance of one’s personal network. That would be absurd. A person’s network is incredibly valuable. But I am saying that I have a different value system with respect to my network. Some people view it as a numbers game: Just meet more people, let them know what you do and how you can help them/their clients, and the referrals will flow. That’s not my thing.   And as a result, I have a smaller network. Because objectively, none of us has unlimited time. So we must prioritize. And I prioritize quality of relationships (including business and professional relationships) over quantity. Instead of attending a networking event, I would rather spend half an hour getting coffee with a friend and fellow lawyer who I know and respect. Or smoking a cigar with my buddy from RBC. I see these people regularly. I like them. I respect them. I trust them. I have real relationships with them.  

Likewise, I would rather spend time volunteering with a local high school debate program than attending a networking function. The same principle applies: I’m spending time doing something I am passionate about. Connections or contacts that I make in the course of doing community service generally tend to be more genuine ones.

But it goes beyond that. I have a philosophical objection to this typical notion of networking. It violates my personal constitution. As I see it, I should go out and live my life. I should spend time with the people I love. I should do good work. I should strive for excellence. I should give back to society. I should read good books, take long hikes and smoke good cigars. And if I live a full life where I maintain the bonds with those people I love; where I’m involved in my community; where I pursue my passions and where I do good work and strive for mastery in my profession, then I will have enough business.  

That’s my credo. So if you want to go to networking events, that's great.  Do you. But I’ll pass.

Jonathan Pollard is the principal of Pollard PLLC, a Fort Lauderdale-based litigation boutique focused on competition law. The firm and its attorneys have extensive experience litigating non-compete, trade secret and antitrust matters. They represent clients throughout the country. Their office can be reached at 954-332-2380.