'Twas the Night Before Networking

A little fun for this time of year. Apologies for the miserable formatting. Apparently LinkedIn doesn't like poetry (or whatever this is).

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the year,

I’d built up connections, both distant and near.

With messages thoughtful, and check-ins sincere,

Each moment invested brought networks to cheer.

My questions were ready, all crafted with care,

To show real curiosity and the willingness to share.

"Tell me your story, what lights up your day?"

"What hurdles have shaped you along the way?"

With no pitch in my pocket, no salesy intent,

I focused instead on the time we’d have spent.

"It's about building trust," I quietly said,

"Not keeping tallies of favors ahead."

When out from my inbox there came a bright ping,

A kind follow-up—it made my heart sing!

"Thanks for the chat," they'd written with cheer,

"It was great to connect—hope to see you next year."

Value exchanged, not with gifts, but with care,

And that’s the best tip: be present, be there.

Relationships flourish with nurture and time,

Each small interaction builds something sublime.

And as the night ended, I smiled with delight,

"Happy networking to all, and to all a good night!"

Now it's your turn: What’s one networking habit you’ve cultivated this year that made the biggest difference?