Connection and networking are two related but distinct concepts. At a basic level, connection refers to building relationships and bonds with other people, while networking refers more specifically to making connections for professional or business reasons. However, there are some key differences between simply making connections and actively networking.
What is Connection?
Connection refers to building rapport, relationships, and emotional bonds between people. Forming a connection with someone involves getting to know them personally and finding common ground through shared experiences, interests, values, or worldviews.
Some key aspects of making connections include:
- Focusing on personal relationships rather than professional ties
- Building trust, vulnerability, understanding, and empathy
- Prioritizing emotional support, advice, and companionship
- Spending quality time together through deep conversations
- Creating a safe space for honest self-expression and alignment of values
Connections are often formed naturally through shared environments like school, work, or community groups. But they can also be cultivated purposefully by making an effort to get to know new people. The end goal is typically the relationship itself rather than any transaction or exchange of professional favors.
What is Networking?
Networking refers more specifically to intentionally building relationships and expanding your professional contacts in order to advance your career, business, or organizational goals. The focus is on mutual benefit within a professional context rather than emotional bonds.
Aspects of effective networking include:
- Strategically meeting influential people in your field or industry
- Letting contacts know about your skills, accomplishments, and interests
- Asking for information, advice, referrals, and professional opportunities
- Offering help and resources to build reciprocity
- Following up and maintaining contacts over time
- Leveraging connections to open doors and reach goals
While networking relationships may become personal friendships, the original intent is professional advancement. Building a large network of useful contacts requires planning, engagement within professional communities, and actively nurturing connections.
Key Differences Between Connection and Networking
While connection and networking overlap in relationship building, there are some core differences:
Purpose
| Connection | Networking |
|---|---|
| Focus on emotional bonds and support for their own sake | Strategic relationships to achieve professional goals |
The purpose of connections is the relationship itself, while networking aims to use relationships to access opportunities and advantages.
Structure
| Connection | Networking |
|---|---|
| Organic, spontaneous, and unplanned interactions | Intentional and structured cultivation of contacts |
Connections can arise naturally, while networking requires planning and being proactive.
Scale
| Connection | Networking |
|---|---|
| Small number of close bonds | Large web of useful contacts |
Connections involve a few deep relationships, networking aims to build the biggest network possible.
Focus
| Connection | Networking |
|---|---|
| Personal and emotional intimacy | Professional and mutually beneficial |
Connections focus on vulnerability, openness, and support while networking prioritizes professional advancement through mutually beneficial exchanges.
How to Transition from Connecting to Networking
While connections and networking have different aims, it is possible to leverage your personal connections to expand your professional network. Here are some tips:
- Ask existing connections for professional introductions to people they think could help you achieve your goals.
- Shift conversations with connections towards career or business topics and ask for their advice or ideas.
- Tell your connections about your professional skills, interests, and aspirations so they are aware.
- Consider how your connections’ professional resources might align with your goals and discuss possibilities.
- When making new connections, seek those who work in your industry or have jobs you aspire towards.
- Gradually expand get-togethers with connections to include their work colleagues or friends who could be helpful contacts.
- Invite new networking prospects to join you and existing connections for coffee, dinner, etc.
The key is balancing professional development with still nurturing emotional bonds and supporting your connections personally as well.
Should You Connect or Network?
Here are some guidelines on when to focus on connecting versus networking:
Prioritize connecting when you want to:
- Build friendships and find emotional support
- Meet people who share your values and worldview
- Have honest, vulnerable conversations
- Find people you relate to on a personal level
- Give and receive help based on mutual care and goodwill
Prioritize networking when you want to:
- Advance your career or business prospects
- Gain expertise, advice and professional opportunities
- Develop relationships with influencers in your field
- Strategically build up a large roster of useful contacts
- Increase your visibility and reputation among peers
Look at your current goals and motives. Connecting provides emotional nourishment, while networking facilitates professional progress. You can balance both as needed.
Conclusion
While connecting and networking overlap in relationship building, key differences exist in their structure, purpose, scale, and focus:
- Connections involve close emotional bonds and support built organically.
- Networking focuses on progressing professionally by strategically cultivating a wide network.
- Connections provide intimate personal fulfillment.
- Networking opens doors to business opportunities.
Aim for a balance of connections that nourish you emotionally and professional networking to support your career aspirations. Transition thoughtfully from connecting to networking by leveraging existing bonds while still maintaining mutual care and support.
