Executive hiring is one of the few decisions that reshapes strategy, culture, and growth at the same time.

Yet many searches begin reactively, with urgency, recycled job descriptions, and partial alignment around what success actually requires. That is where risk enters the equation.

I founded Talent Executives Group to bring strategic clarity and disciplined execution back to executive search.

We are a retained firm focused on Director through C-suite placements across Finance, HR, Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Technology. Our work begins long before we enter the market.

We start with alignment.

Why does this role exist now?
Where are the operational or cultural pressure points?
What outcomes will define success?

Often the scope reflects how the role functioned in the past. Our responsibility is to structure it for where the business is going.

We partner closely with CEOs, boards, and executive teams to create focus and precision around critical hires. Our retained process is disciplined, confidential, and highly curated. Clients engage us because they want certainty when the stakes are high.

We are not filling seats. We are strengthening leadership infrastructure.

In parallel, I founded Networking Executives to create intentional spaces where leaders are thoughtfully threaded through a trusted executive community. Strong teams and strong cities are built through real relationships, not just transactions.

When the role is critical, hire with certainty.

Certainty comes from clarity, rigor, and relationships.

Amy Sulgrove

Dallas just got a stock exchange. 🏦

And the timing is intentional that DallasMeetup is launching its Fintech Cohort.

With the Texas Stock Exchange | TXSE Group Inc planting its flag in North Texas, DFW is stepping into something genuinely new 🚀!

The DallasMeetup Fintech Cohort will shine a spotlight on the fintech who's who across DFW: founders and startup CEOs, payments and embedded finance operators, bank innovation leaders, capital markets professionals, PE and VC investors, and the builders at the intersection of AI and finance. 💳📊🤝🧠

And as always, the whole DFW community is welcome. 

This is a high-signal, curated evening at The Village Country Club with 1,500+ cross-sector operators across DFW, featured networkers, sponsor activations, and real connection. 🎯

If you want to be in the room where Dallas fintech is taking shape, register below. 👇

https://luma.com/p5i5y1oy

Featured on Networking Executives | https://lnkd.in/gJZpaedn

#DallasMeetup #Fintech #TXSE #DFW #NetworkingExecutives

 Amy Sulgrove

Retained Executive Search for Corporate-Function Leaders | Helping CEOs Hire with Clarity, Structure, and Alignment That Lasts

Open article: Networking Executives by networkingexecutives.com

The CHRO role may be the most misunderstood position in the C-suite right now.

In the past 12 months, I’ve watched CHROs carry a remarkable set of expectations:

• Lead culture transformation
• Rebuild leadership benches
• Navigate AI disruption
• Support cost discipline
• Manage employee trust
• Partner closely with the CEO and board

It's not uncommon for me to hear:

“We’re being asked to drive transformation while simultaneously stabilizing the organization.”

The most effective CHROs I see today aren’t just HR leaders.

They are enterprise operators who understand business models, capital allocation, and growth strategy.

Because when a company changes direction, leadership capability becomes the real constraint.

This topic came up again recently at a Gig Talent conference, where HR consultants and strategy leaders were discussing how dramatically the CHRO role is evolving.

(Photo from the event with Greg Roche.)

👉 What capability do you believe next-generation CHROs must build most aggressively right now?

“He’s run a $300M business, this should be easy for him.”
But it wasn’t.

The market was different.
The structure was leaner.
The board was more hands-on.

And what looked like a perfect match on paper...
wasn’t built for this context.

Executive experience doesn’t always travel well.

Especially when leadership dynamics shift, funding environments change, or internal scale creates new constraints.

The best leaders don’t just bring a history of success.

They bring adaptability and humility to lead through what's next.

Can't wait to be a part of the amazing connections that will be built at the next DallasMeetup!

Carson Gibbons • Francis Enyinnaya Ufomadu • Bahadir 'Baha' Koseli • Tyler Riddell, Leadership MBA • Laila Sarvarian • Tad W Perryman • Ichan Stall • James Wang • Mati Fombang • Alexie Estrada • Eddie Leach • Jessica Stettler • Kyle Gray • Bobby Miller • Melissa Phan • Stephen Ellis • Chris Martin • Chris Nieto • Brooke Merrick • Dane Fuentes • Jil Smith • Aaron Witherspoon • Michael Mills • Jeffrey Dunn, CFP®

MARK YOUR CALENDARS 🗓️ 

DallasMeetup is coming to The Village Country Club in Dallas on May 7, featuring a #FinTech networking cohort. 

More info 👉  https://lnkd.in/gjPnZukz

A manufacturing client came to us six months ago looking for their first Chief Revenue Officer.

They'd always had a VP of Sales. Strong performer. Consistent numbers.

But growth had plateaued.

The CEO's question: "Do we really need a CRO, or are we just following a trend?"

Fair question.

Here's what we uncovered:

Their sales team was excellent at closing deals. But there was no alignment between marketing, customer success, and sales. No unified view of the customer journey.

No one owned revenue strategy across the entire lifecycle.

We placed a CRO who had scaled revenue in a similar industry.

Someone who understood that B2B growth today isn't just about landing clients—it's about expanding and retaining them.

Six months in, their revenue per customer is up 28%.

Not because they're selling more, but because they're orchestrating the entire revenue engine.

Here's the distinction that matters:

✅ A VP of Sales drives transactions

✅ A CRO drives revenue architecture

If your growth has stalled and you're not sure why, the issue might not be your sales team's execution.

It might be that no one is connecting the dots across your entire revenue ecosystem.

That's a structural issue. And it requires a structural solution.

Open article: The Network Effect: February 22-28 by Networking Executives • 2 min read

The room was full of leaders who've scaled companies, carried real weight, and delivered under pressure. And instead of competing, they were building together, raising the bar for one another and for the companies they serve.

Gig Talent is bringing together a community where excellence is the expectation, and where client solutions are designed with the same rigor we’d demand inside the enterprise.

At Talent Executives Group, that matters. Companies don’t need more activity. They need outcomes. Leaders who can step in, align stakeholders quickly, and deliver.

Proud to build alongside Gig Talent, Vendi, and Wallabi. Powerful minds. Real momentum. The bar is high, and it should be! 

What a conference. The caliber in that room was something you don't forget.

Something shifted this week. I felt it the moment I looked around the room.

Our Gig Talent certified "executive entrepreneurs". In one place. Not competing. Building.

These are leaders who have scaled companies, led transformations, carried real weight. And now they’ve chosen a different path.

Not independence for the sake of it. But impact. Standards. Belonging.

The gig economy doesn’t need more people. It needs more excellence.
That’s what this community represents.

Clarity about who we are. Pride in being Gig Talent. Commitment to raising the bar for each other and for the companies we serve.

This isn’t a network. It’s a movement toward capability, courage, and execution. With our incredible strategic partners Talent Executives Group, Vendi, and Wallabi helping us design an ecosystem of value with comprehensive client solutions.

If you could feel the energy in that room, you’d understand.
We’re not just adapting to the future of work. We’re building it. And we’re just getting started.

#GigTalent #ExecutiveEntrepreneurs #FutureOfWork #AllTheBestPeople

Texas construction is booming - or it’s struggling. 
Depends on which side you’re looking at.

🏗️ Non-residential construction—especially data centers—is exploding.
📉 Residential construction is dragging.

In fact, non-residential construction is projected to grow 3,000% in 2025. 

Meanwhile, high mortgage rates, insurance costs, and affordability issues continue to suppress new housing development.

The tension:

Employers are building infrastructure at record pace.
But where will the people live?

As a talent partner, we’re watching this imbalance closely. 

If housing lags behind, it could create long-term ripple effects on labor mobility, access to talent, and cost of living.

What impact do you think this real estate divide will have on recruitment and workforce stability in Texas?

The Champagne Board event of the season is already close to half full!

The Revenue Reset is a high-impact, half-day workshop designed for business owners, founders, and executives who are directly responsible for revenue...and are done guessing what will actually move the needle.

Grab your seat here! 

https://lnkd.in/gbgurfZi
Heather Lisle

Open article: The Revenue Reset by heatherlisle.com

⭐James Sackey you are going to knock it out of the park with this event!

#DFW Network, check out https://lnkd.in/gJZpaedn for other upcoming events that are not to be missed!

#FeaturedEvent - TOMORROW: The DFW Growth Summit, by James Sackey Marketing, is the premier event designed to explore growth and innovation across the sectors that are currently driving business across Dallas-Fort Worth. Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/g9ZMKiPq

I used to think networking was just for extroverts, salespeople, or people trying to land their next job. Then I learned that real networking—the kind that builds trust, opens doors, and helps people stay and grow in their careers—is just consistent, human connection.

That realization shaped everything I do now.

Today, I split my time between two worlds:

At Retention and Rewards Partners, I work with HR leaders to solve complex problems around compensation, benefits, and employee retention. I’ve led total rewards teams through M&A deals, culture transformations, open enrollments, and board-level pay strategy. But underneath all the spreadsheets and systems is one simple goal: build workplaces where people want to stay.

And as the founder of The Introverted Networker, I teach professionals how to build strong relationships—without small talk, events, or pretending to be someone they’re not. I write a weekly newsletter, lead corporate workshops, and coach people on how to connect with others in a way that feels real and doable.

My work might look different depending on the day, but it’s all connected by one belief: when people feel seen, supported, and fairly treated, they stay. And when they build trusted relationships at work, they thrive.

If you care about building workplaces where people stay and succeed—or you’re trying to grow your network in a way that actually feels good—I’d love to connect.


Here are other ways I can help you:

⇨ Sign up for my newsletter, "The Introverted Networker," to get tips to improve your networking.

⇨ Get my FREE course, "5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network," to get the exact networking blueprint I follow every week to grow my own network.

⇨ Follow me to learn how to find new connections without going to networking events

⇨ Download my guide "15 Minute Networking"

⇨ Get my book "The Fast and Easy Guide To Networking For Introverts"

All the links for these resources are in my Featured section above!

The best way to contact me is via email: greg@gregsroche.com

Greg Roche

Your network won’t grow meeting 50 strangers at an event.

And, most people who talk about networking won't tell you this, but...

Stop casting a wide net.
Focus on one person at a time.

That's how your network grows.

Start with people you know.

Re-connect with them.
Talk to them about what they're working on.
Share your goals with them.

Who do they know?
Who should you meet?
Ask them to introduce you.

Expand your relationships from there.

It sounds time-consuming.
But, it's more efficient than you think.

This week, find one person to reconnect with.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

I teach professionals to connect and build trust. Founder Retention and Rewards Partners. Solving retention and total rewards challenges for HR leaders who need results, not more noise. Aka: The Introverted Networker.

Most people think networking takes hours.
I can do it in 15 minutes.

Can you grow your network in 15 minutes a day?
You can with the right mindset:

The Consistency Mindset.

When you spend 15 minutes each day, 
Over the course of a year, 
It's over 90 hours of networking.

When you do it consistently, you start seeing results.

What can you do in 15 minutes?
• Write a LinkedIn recommendation for a former co-worker
• Send a message to a someone you've lost touch with
• Have a short phone conversation with a connection
• Search for dormant ties thru LinkedIn
• Comment on LinkedIn posts

Any of these will grow your network.

But they only work if you show up, 

And do the work,
Consistently,
Everyday.

Have you spent 15 minutes networking today?

If not, what's stopping you?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker! 

If you want to see my daily networking tips,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Most people quit networking because they can’t see where it’s leading.
 
That’s the mistake.
 
I rarely know exactly what a new connection will turn into.

A job.
A client.
A referral.
Or nothing at all.
 
Like driving a car at night, all I can see is the next conversation.

But, that’s enough.

I'll get where I am going, if I keep going.
 
When you’re building a network, you don’t get a full map.

You get today.
That's as far as you can see.
 
One message.
One coffee.
One thoughtful follow up.
 
Over time, those small moments start to stack.

They create momentum you couldn’t have predicted at the start.
 
You don’t need certainty to move forward.
 
You just need to keep showing up for the next conversation in front of you.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

One random conversation while Christmas shopping changed how I think about networking.

Most people think networking works like a funnel.
 
You reach out to a lot of people and hope a few good things come out the other end.
 
That approach always felt exhausting to me.
The way it’s actually worked in my life is much simpler.
 
It’s more like a chain.
One conversation leads to another.
 
Years ago I lost my job in October.
For weeks I did what everyone else does.

I applied online and waited.
Nothing happened.
 
Then one day in December I ran into a former coworker while Christmas shopping.

We talked for a few minutes.
I mentioned I was looking for a job.
 
She said, “You should talk to Dennis. He’s in the same situation.”
 
I met Dennis.  Dennis introduced me to Jorge.
Jorge and I were looking for the same type of roles.
 
In my search, I also connected with a guy named Jim.
Jim knew I was looking for a job.

He mentioned a role he’d heard about.
I wasn’t the right fit, but Jorge was.
 
I connected Jorge to Jim and Jim connected Jorge with the person hiring for the role.
 
Jorge got the job.
 
Here’s the lesson:
Networking rarely moves in straight lines.

Conversations connect to other conversations. 
People introduce you to other people.
 
You just keep adding one link at a time to your network.
The opportunities start to appear.

That’s why I don’t try to meet as many people as possible.
 
I focus on one good conversation.
Then the next one tends to appear.
The opportunities follow.

What networking links have you made that got you closer to the opportunity you were looking for?

Tell me your story!


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!
If you want to become a better networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

This one thing will make every conference you attend this year worth the money you paid for it.

Most people walk into a conference and hope for the best.
 
They grab their badge.
They scan the room.
They look for a friendly face.
 
And then they feel stuck.
 
Conferences can feel like a full day of small talk with strangers.
 
Here’s what makes it easier:
Do most of your networking before you get there.
 
When I sign up for a conference, I don’t wait until I’m in the room.
 
I look at the agenda.
I connect with organizers.
I reach out to a few speakers I plan to hear.
I comment on their posts.
I trade a few messages.
 
Nothing fancy.
Just simple, real conversation.
 
When I walk in, I’m not alone.
I already have two or three people I can say hello to.
 
That changes everything.
 
You stop wandering.
You stop forcing random chats.
You build on conversations that already started.
 
One simple idea to try:

Before your next conference, 
 
1. Pick one speaker from the agenda.
2. Send a short note.
3. Tell them you’re looking forward to their session.
4. Ask one thoughtful question about their topic.
 
That’s it.
 
If you want to make conferences feel less draining and more useful, I wrote a full breakdown in this week’s 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳: https://lnkd.in/gJb_b_CA
 
It goes deeper into how to prepare, how to connect in person, and one small badge trick that makes you easier to approach.

One short email and a 15-minute meeting
Changed my co-worker’s entire career.

A co-worker of mine wanted to learn about career opportunities within the organization.

But she was afraid to network internally.

She didn't know where to start.

I told here she needed to:

𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿:

• Find one leader at the company
  
• Send him or her an email saying: "𝙄'𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄'𝙢 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝟭𝟱 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙖𝙨𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣"
  
• At the meeting, say thanks for agreeing to meet with you
  
• Ask: "𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙧?"
  
• Listen

She admitted she was scared to try this, but thought,
"what's the worst that could happen?"


𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘀:

• Each leader she emailed was happy to find time to talk to her
  
• All the meetings went beyond the original 15 minutes
  
• The conversations were the start of professional relationships with the leaders
  
• They got to know her and what she was working on
  
• When one of the leaders left, he became a connection that led to a job for her at his new company
  
• That new job brought her opportunities in her career she never would have had


It doesn't take much effort to grow your network at your current job.

And it can lead to new opportunities both inside and outside your organization.

What about you?

How have you been networking internally?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Most people use LinkedIn wrong.
Here's what they're missing:

They lurk.
They scroll.
They log in only when they need a job.
 
Then they say networking on LinkedIn doesn't work.
 
Here's the mindset shift you need to make it work for you:
 
LinkedIn is not a billboard.
It is a conversation tool.
 
Your goal is simple.

Start small online conversations with people who sit near the opportunities you care about.
 
That's it.
 
One practical place to start is this.
 
Make a short Target Company List.
Five to ten companies you are curious about.
 
Then search for people who work there.
Start with 1st and 2nd degree connections.
 
If you already know someone, send a short note.
“It’s been a while. How are things going?”
 
If you don't know them, keep it light.

“I see you’re at X company. I’m learning more about it. Would love your perspective if you have time.”
 
No pitch.
No pressure.
 
If connecting feels like too much, Follow them.

If they post, Comment with something thoughtful.

Not “Great post.”

Add a question.
Add an insight.
Move the conversation forward.
 
That is how you become familiar before you ever ask for anything.
 
One question for you.
 
If someone looked at your LinkedIn account today, would it show quiet scrolling or real conversations?
 
I wrote more about how to use connecting, following, commenting, and even your own LinkedIn data in this week’s Introverted Networker: https://lnkd.in/gXb7GJRq
 
If LinkedIn has felt pointless, the full issue walks through a calmer way to use it.

My favorite LinkedIn ‘metric’ never shows up in the analytics.

It's the people who never "like" or comment on any of my posts, but tell me:

"You're post was what I needed to hear today."

I still get goose bumps when this happens.

It's usually someone I know.

• Recent connection
• Former colleague
• Friend

But, they never show up at the bottom of my post in the reaction or comment section.

However, they go out of their way to reach out to me in real life to tell me what I wrote made a difference in their lives.

I keep this in mind each time I hit "Post":

Behind every:

• Comment,
• Reaction,
• Email

There's a person who is struggling to figure it all out.

If what I write has an impact on one person,
It was a successful post.

For those who show up and share what they know on LinkedIn, even if your post flops in the usual metrics of engagement, you're making a difference.

For those who are moved by someone's post, let them know, even if it's in a private message.

It's the fuel that keeps most of us LinkedIn regulars going!



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Over the weekend, most of the U.S. changed their clocks. Arizona didn’t. Yet my schedule still shifted.

It made me remember something:
Time is a made-up system.

We created it so people could coordinate with each other.
Daylight savings makes that obvious.

Most people will be complaining today about losing an hour of sleep.

That doesn't happen when you live in Arizona.
But, that doesn't mean I'm not affected.

Most of the people I talk to each day are in different states.
In one day, all my meetings moved an hour earlier.

Nothing actually changed about the sun.

The only thing that changed was our agreement about time.

I'll adjust my schedule so that I can show up as the same time as everyone else.
 
Networking works the same way.
We have to agree on a time to show up and connect.
 
People wait for the “right time” to reach out.

The right time to reconnect.
The right time to ask for help.
But time isn’t some magical force.
 
It’s just coordination between two people.
 
Most opportunities don’t happen because the timing was perfect.
 
They happen because two people stayed connected.
 
One conversation, no matter what the time.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Your best employee is already halfway out the door.
You just can’t see it.

Picture your best employee standing outside, alone.

At her feet is a white line.
Her toes are touching The Line. 

The side of The Line she's standing on is her current reality.
The other side is relief from the stress on her side of The Line.

• It could be the pile of unread emails in her inbox.
• It could be her boss.
• It could be her job.

Something's wrong and it's gotten so bad, she's standing with her toes on The Line.

She's vulnerable.

The next problem, request, or needless meeting is going to push her over The Line.

She doesn't know if life on the other side of The Line will be better or worse.

It doesn't matter.

All that matters is the other side of The Line is different from her current reality.

She didn't get to The Line because someone dangled more money in front of her.

She hasn't even talked to a recruiter or applied to a job.

Some days, when she gets to The Line, she can find a reason to step away.

But on the days when she's at The Line, something new might catch her eye.

She might return that recruiter's message.

She might respond to that email just to "learn more about the role."

At that moment, she's ready to step across The Line.

After that first step, she might take another, 
Then another, and at the end, 
She's telling her co-workers 
She's leaving for something 
New.

Her leaders will say she got offered more money.
They'll say, "we aren't competitive with our benefits."
Her former co-workers will get retention agreements.

They weren't planning to leave, but they'll take the extra money for doing the extra work created by her leaving.

Eventually, they'll get pushed to The Line, too.

They'll be asked to respond to the fire drill.

They'll be told to do one more project because it's a business need.

No work will be taken off the to-do list.

The one-off requests will keep rolling into their inboxes.

Maybe one of these co-workers is the next to The Line

He knows how she got to The Line.

He had never been there himself, but once she left, he took on her work.

He's stepped up to The Line more lately.

He's stepped back, gone to the team offsite, laughed with his co-workers and gone home feeling better about things.

The next morning, when he opens his inbox, there are more things than he can do by the end of the day.

And he feels alone.
With no one to talk to about how he feels
And no one to help him step back from The Line.

Everyone is approaching The Line.

They've all had enough.
They're all vulnerable.

If they get the call or email, they'll step over The Line and start the journey to a new job.

It happens every day. 
It happens to everyone.

Do you notice when you're at The Line?
Do you notice when your employees are at The Line?

Can you step back?
Can you help them step back?

If they can't step back, they're done.
So are you.

If you trained at the gym like you network, would you ever get results?

If not, here’s how to train your networking muscle:

1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
You don't get your PR the first day at the gym. 
You start light and add weight.

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅Start connecting with one person.
✅Comment on one person's LinkedIn post.
✅Send one message to a former co-worker.


2️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘀
Getting to the gym is a good start. 
Then you have to put in the reps when you're there. 
No wasting time or messing around.

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅Make your comments on LI valuable. No "Nice post" BS.
✅Find ways to give some valuable to your connections.
✅Make introductions. Connect people to each other.


3️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆
Consistency brings the gains!

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅It's ok to skip a day, but don't make it a habit.
✅Track your efforts. Tracking holds you accountable
✅Get an accountability partner. Everyone needs a spotter.

Networking, like working out, isn’t about one big day.

It’s about steady effort over time.

Show up.
Put in the work.
Get the gains.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝘆𝗺/𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

By day, I help companies retain talent.
By night, I learn from people who've already finished their careers.

By day (and honestly, a lot of nights too), I've been focused on building my business Retention and Rewards Partners. 

I help companies with total rewards, employee engagement, and retention strategies.

At the same time, I keep showing up as The Introverted Networker.

Writing about networking, publishing my newsletter, and creating new resources to help people connect and grow their careers.

Two different themes. 

Both fueled by the same passion: 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

Recently, I've started writing (privately) about being a non-retired person who lives in a retirement community.

Focusing on what it looks like to do the work you want to do while learning from people who have already passed the work phase of their lives.

Not sure if it's right for LinkedIn, so I'm asking that question today:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker! 

I talk a lot about networking, building more connected workplaces, and maybe living with retired people.

If you want to see more of me

Do one of these:

✅ Save this post so you can come back and find me later
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

What do you want me to write about on LinkedIn?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

Consistency, not 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘮𝘢, is the secret to effective networking.

Most people treat networking like a sprint:
They go all in when they need something, 
Then disappear when they don’t.

The problem?
Relationships don’t grow on deadlines.

Networking works best when it becomes a habit.
Not a once-in-a-while task.
A daily or weekly rhythm.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆:

• Spend just 𝟭𝟱 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗮 𝗱𝗮𝘆 
  (1% of your time) connecting.
  
• Reach out to 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗲 each week.
  Small steps compound.
  
• Follow the “𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲” 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲:
  If you skip a day, get back on track tomorrow.
  
• Show up on LinkedIn.
  Not just posting, but 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 on others’ work.
  
• Check in every few months with people you value.
  A quick note keeps the relationship warm.
  
Think about it:
One intentional connection a week = 𝟱𝟮 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿.

That’s how networking feels natural, not forced.
That’s how opportunities appear.
That’s how trust is built.

👉 How do you make networking a consistent habit?


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

If networking keeps getting pushed aside,
Try this 15-minute reset.

When I get busy, it’s the first habit that slips.
 
Nothing dramatic happens.
But I feel it.
 
A little disconnected.
A little out of rhythm.
 
Here’s what I’ve learned.
The problem isn’t networking.
 
It’s scale.
 
When something feels big and strategic, your brain says, not now.
So I shrink it.
 
I set a timer for 15 minutes.
That’s it.
 
No grand plan.
No strategy session.
 
Just a container.
 
I open LinkedIn messages.
I scroll old emails.
I search the name of a former coworker.
 
Then I ask one question:
 
Who have I meant to reconnect with?
 
I pick one person and send something simple.
“It’s been a while. How have you been?”
 
No ask.
No update.
No pressure.
 
That’s Step 1 and Step 2 of The Connection Loop.
1. Start with someone you already know.
2. Restart the conversation.
 
The 15 minutes isn’t the relationship.
It’s the ignition.
 
Once you send the note, things move.

Replies come in.
Coffee gets scheduled.
Calls happen.
 
You don’t need intensity.
You need consistency.
 
If you’ve felt a little off your networking lately, try this.
 
Set a timer.
Send one note.
Stop when it rings.
 
I wrote more about this in this week’s 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳 newsletter if you want the full breakdown.
https://lnkd.in/gg6k5ivr

After 27 years in corporate, I quit my job. My first client showed up 24 hours later.

Not because I got lucky.
 
Because a couple months, I had a conversation with someone I'll call Katie.
 
We both worked in HR in Denver.
Different companies, different roles.

We stayed in touch.
No agenda.
Just a professional relationship I kept up over time.
 
When I was thinking about leaving corporate after 27 years, Katie was one of the first people I called.
 
I told her exactly what I wanted to do.
The specific problems I solve.
In the words a client would use.
 
Then we went on with our lives.
 
The day after I resigned, she texted me.
 
"Do you know anyone who could do fractional total rewards consulting for a client in Denver?"
 
I texted back: "Yeah. Me. I just resigned yesterday."
 
That was client number one.
Then she hired me for a project at her own company.
 
Two clients.
One relationship.
One conversation I'd invested in before any of this was real.
 
Here's the lesson:
 
When you're networking for a job, you connect with people at your target companies.
 
When you're networking for your own business, you connect with people who already serve your target client.

Either way, you have to get specific about what you're looking for.
And, tell people what it is.
 
They become your advocates, your referral sources.
You're not selling yourself.
They're doing it for you.

But you have to start the conversations to get to the part where you tell them what you're looking for.
 
I tell the whole story in this week's issue of The Introverted Networker: https://lnkd.in/gsR7fdVb



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Ever feel like you need just one hour to get started with your networking?

I've got a solution for you!

Join me and Shayna Cavanaugh next week for You Can Sit With Us!

It's an our dedicated to anything you are working on when it comes to job search. Including networking!

You put the event on your calendar
Block the time
Show up and get more done in that hour than you have all week.

It's a great way to get help and get yourself started.

Join us!

Details below!

Interview Prep, Salary Negotiation | Helping burnt-out professionals to not feel like crap at work | Real HR Experience/Real Results ✨

Not sure where to start when it comes to networking?
 
Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think
 
Join us for our next co-working hour on Thursday, 3/5 where Greg Roche, The Introverted Networker, will share some simple tips and strategies for intentional networking.
 
You’ll leave with real strategies to help you:
➜ Network in a way that feels natural (even if you’re introverted)
➜ Build genuine connections without small talk or events
➜ Create trust through simple, human conversations
 
RSVP through the event below and be sure to share with your introverted job search bestie!
 
P.S. – Raise your hand if you’ve ever overthought a LinkedIn message before sending 🙋🏻‍♀️

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