The Value and Power of Networking

Two items in the Sunday, June 8, 2025, NY Times caught my attention and proved the value and power of networking.

I have always networked, even before I ever heard that word or knew what networking was. Somehow, I found ways to keep in touch with people I met or interacted with. I added them to my address book with little notes about them. I sent birthday cards long before birthday wishes became a habit on Facebook, I sent oddball postcards or holiday cards 2 or 3 times a year and even sent clippings of articles about things they were interested in. I still do this, either out of habit, compulsiveness, a desire to keep in touch or more because of the joy of keeping connected.

My college students are a built-in target, and I tell them the value of networking and have them get connected with the one or two students they sit next to. I also “preach” networking to the Withum interns I meet or any other young person I know, including my grandchildren and their cousins. I also provide tips on how to do it or how to get started, which is quite easy. It just needs a slight effort. A lot of what I say falls on deaf ears, but sometimes I connect. I know that if I do not do anything, they definitely won’t learn the value of networking, or how to do it; and if I barrage them with doing it, they might. I always choose might over definitely won’t.

I read quite a while ago that Bill Clinton and Hillary Rodham started early, developing their network of people they met. This was long before they met each other. They had networking in their DNA and when Bill, and later Hillary, ran for public office, they had a built-in following with the thousands of people they knew, many of whom they could count on for support, which they got. They “got” it! Networking pays.

I read an obituary for actress Mara Corday, who died at age 95 and who had two movie careers. She met Clint Eastwood early on in her career when Clint had a small role in a 1955 movie she starred in. She maintained contact with him, became friends, and he put her in some movies he made when she returned to acting after a 15-year hiatus in 1977, working with Eastwood until 1990. When Eastwood hired her in 1977, she needed the work, and he was able to help her out, launching her second career. She also became part of cinematic history as the hostage held at gunpoint in the movie “Sudden Impact” when Mr. Eastwood, playing Detective Dirty Harry, said his now famous quote “Go ahead, make my day.” Networking paid.

The second article is the Corner Office column profiling Steve Stoute, Chief Executive and Founder of UnitedMasters. Stoute is age 54 and is one of the most sought-after and influential people in the entertainment, advertising, technology and political worlds. Quite a portfolio of impact. He credits his influence to his wide network of decision-makers, their sharing their concerns with him and their reliance on his opinions and his blunt truthfulness. He did not wake up one morning influential. It took him years to develop his relationships and his well-tested ability to provide them with the insights they needed to be aware of.

Networking paid off for both- now it’s your turn!

Networking is similar to planting the seeds of trees, anticipating future benefits. There is no current benefit, but a great benefit when the trees start growing and mature. That is how networking works. Give each contact time to develop, but remember to first plant the seeds and then provide proper nurture and care.