There’s a common mantra in business and career advice: network, network, network. Everyone is told that your success depends on who you know. Yet, if you look at truly successful people, a surprising truth emerges: the most successful rarely spend their time “networking.”Why? Because real success doesn’t come from collecting contacts or attending every event. It comes from skill, value creation, and results. When you’re genuinely exceptional at what you do, people naturally seek you out. Doors open without effort because your work, reputation, and influence speak for themselves. You don’t need to chase connections—the world notices you automatically.
Most “networkers” fail because they approach relationships transactionally. They try to extract value before offering any. Successful people, on the other hand, build authority and credibility first. Their interactions aren’t about schmoozing; they’re about meaningful collaboration with people who already respect what they do.
In other words, networking is often a symptom of insecurity or lack of competence. If you spend all your time trying to get in with the right crowd, it’s probably because you haven’t yet created something worth noticing. Competence and results always outperform charm and handshakes.
So if your goal is long-term success, focus less on networking and more on becoming the person others want to connect with. Skills, vision, and execution are magnetic. Networking is for those who haven’t yet earned that magnetism—true success makes it unnecessary.