What’s Your Playbook? Arianna Huffington on Professional Connection and Building a Network That Matters

Arianna Huffington 's name is synonymous with innovation and influence. As the founder and CEO of Thrive Global, the founder of The Huffington Post, and the author of 15 books—including Thrive and The Sleep Revolution—she has redefined how we think about success, well-being, and productivity. A media titan and a global thought leader, she has also been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people and one of the world’s most powerful women by Forbes.

When I had the opportunity to interview Arianna, I was eager to uncover the secret to her extraordinary career and her philosophy on navigating leadership in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world. Our conversation centered on a theme that matters more now than ever: building meaningful relationships and maintaining well-being while leading in the digital age.

From her roots in Greece to her groundbreaking ventures, Arianna embodies the power of connection to others and oneself. Her insights on prioritizing personal relationships and creating a culture of care in professional spaces are a masterclass in personally and professionally thriving.

Building Your Network Through Authenticity

It's easy to fall into the trap of viewing relationships as purely transactional. But Arianna believes this mindset is a significant roadblock to genuine connection and meaningful success.

Arianna champions a refreshingly authentic approach: leading with genuine curiosity and a desire to truly connect with others. This philosophy has shaped her personal and professional relationships, creating a network built not on transactions but on understanding and mutual respect.

"We connect as human to human, and that's something the other person notices," Huffington explains. "My network is very much built on curiosity…I want to know about you as if we’re having a cup of coffee and I could ask questions. There's so much I want to know."

This deep sense of curiosity drives her approach to building relationships. Huffington's instinct isn't to dominate a conversation, but to listen and learn. "I'm much more interested in hearing about you than telling you about me," she shares. "Because that's how I learn."

And even a media titan like Arianna knows the value of leaning on others during pivotal moments. For her, a trusted network of girlfriends has been an essential source of guidance and support, especially when facing difficult decisions.

"I have a network of girlfriends I reach out to for big decisions," she says. "I remember listing pros and cons about leaving The Huffington Post and starting a new company. I was talking to Sheryl Sandberg, who is part of our little 'Lean In' group, and she said to me, 'Stop making lists. Close your eyes and jump.'"

Small Gestures = Big Impact

In today's evolving workplace, marked by remote work, economic uncertainty, and moments of isolation, staying connected to your network requires more than an occasional check-in. Arianna believes that small, thoughtful gestures can make a big difference — in maintaining relationships and building a culture of care that extends into professional spaces.

"We have this incredible connection," she shares, reflecting on how she integrates personal care into Thrive Global's workplace culture. "People laugh at me because if somebody has the flu, COVID, or whatever, we have an entire vitamin shelf at Thrive. Birthdays, too, are a cause for celebration. "We send flowers to every Thriver. It's harder when you have more people, but doing something that marks people's birthdays is something I love."

Arianna's approach reminds us that a bit of thoughtfulness can go a long way in strengthening bonds, boosting morale, and creating a network of care that extends far beyond the workplace.

Her final networking tip? “I’m an email ninja,” Arianna shares with a smile. “I’m very good at answering emails. But my key is to write short emails. I feel it’s more important to just respond, rather than respond in the perfect long way.”

Her philosophy prioritizes engagement over polish, valuing showing up and being present in the conversation — even if the response is brief.

The Gift of Connection: Making holidays meaningful without burnout

I was curious if Arianna had any advice for people as they navigate one of the busiest — and most stressful! — times of the year, the holidays. Is there anything she does to keep her stress level down during this time of year??

"Whenever there is an intense period, like the holidays, we tend to put ourselves last," she admits. "And that's precisely the moment we have to put ourselves first. Because if we are depleted and exhausted, we are much more likely to be less productive and less creative about solving problems and challenges."

Arianna then shared her best holiday tip of all: Pick a few gifts to give everybody. "If you tried to find something for each person in your life… It's exhausting." Love this! And she's doing that with her colleagues at Thrive. She's giving everyone a gift card that allows them to donate to any nonprofit of their choice.

It's a gift that also leads to a deeper connection. "We ask them to tell us why they chose that particular nonprofit. And the stories are amazing."?

Arianna shared many things that stayed with me long after we chatted. But one thing really stuck out to me: "Personal relations make life richer." It’s so true. Life is really about authentic relationships — and the more we foster those types of connections – personally and professionally – the richer our lives will be.