Welcome to our hand-picked collection of powerful networking quotes, gathered from the wisdom of high achievers across diverse fields.
Networking is at the heart of what we do at Poked, the LinkedIn CRM for professionals and networkers - and these quotes shine a light on the importance of building and fostering real, strong, professional relationships. As you read, consider how these nuggets of wisdom can enhance your networking approach, especially when combined with modern tools like Poked, our favorite LinkedIn SaaS tool for networking professionals. Let's dive in!
Quotes on the Importance of Networking
In a world where connectivity is key, and everyone's a click away, we've got to talk about the golden thread that weaves through the fabric of success: Networking.
"Your network is your net worth." - Porter Gale
Porter Gale, a highly-respected public speaker and former Vice President of Marketing at Virgin America, cuts straight to the chase. Your professional relationships are the real gold; they hold a value that transcends the dollar signs.
"Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come." - Diane Helbig
Business growth expert, Diane Helbig, lays it out for us. Networking isn't about immediate payoffs. It's a strategic game, a steady climb that offers fantastic rewards when done thoughtfully.
"The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work." - Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki, the thought-provoking author behind "Rich Dad, Poor Dad", shows us the distinctive path of the wildly successful. They're not in a frantic search for jobs; they're strategically building networks.
"Opportunities do not float like clouds in the sky. They’re attached to people. If you’re looking for an opportunity, you’re really looking for a person." - Reid Hoffman
Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, gives us a reality check. Opportunities don't just float in, detached and independent. They're connected to people - the more people you know, the more opportunities come knocking.
"The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity." - Keith Ferrazzi
Entrepreneur and author, Keith Ferrazzi, flips the script here. Networking isn't about what you can extract, but what you can contribute. Foster a spirit of generosity and watch your network flourish.
"Networking is not about just connecting people. It's about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities." - Michele Jennae
Executive Coach and Author, Michele Jennae, expands our understanding of networking. It's not merely connecting for the sake of it, but fostering meaningful links between people, ideas, and opportunities.
"Networking is an enrichment program, not an entitlement program." - Susan RoAne
Author and speaker, Susan RoAne, drives home the point that networking isn’t about what you’re entitled to get, but rather, how you can enrich others and, in turn, be enriched.
So, that's the skinny on networking. It's a critical tool in your success arsenal, and it's all about cultivating authentic, mutually beneficial relationships. It's the long game that can propel you into realms of opportunities and growth.
Harnessing the Power of Relationships in Business in 6 Quotes
Behind every successful business, you'll find a labyrinth of relationships. Your business might have the best product or service, but it's the relationships you build that turn your visions into realities. These relationships can be with your clients, vendors, employees, or fellow entrepreneurs. Each person in your team can be a key to unlocking new dimensions of success.
Let's delve into these insights from luminaries across various fields who truly understood this power:
"Success in business requires training and discipline and hard work. But if you’re not frightened by these things, the opportunities are just as great today as they ever were." - David Rockefeller
David Rockefeller, a celebrated business magnate, reminds us that diligence, discipline, and fearlessness in face of hard work can lead to great opportunities. In today's world, one could argue that the foundation for these opportunities lies in strong professional relationships.
"Business is all about relationships…how well you build them determines how well they build your business…" - Brad Sugars
Brad Sugars, a successful entrepreneur and business coach, hits the nail on the head with this one. The growth and success of your business are directly tied to the relationships you build.
"You do not close a sale, you open a relationship if you want to build a long-term, successful enterprise." - Patricia Fripp
Patricia Fripp, an executive speech coach and sales trainer, emphasizes the shift from transactional interactions to relational interactions in business. It's not about just closing a sale; it's about opening a relationship.
"In business and in life, you don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate." - Chester L. Karrass
Chester L. Karrass, renowned negotiation strategist and author, implies that negotiation—an integral aspect of any business relationship—is a crucial factor in attaining what you aspire to achieve.
"In the world of business, the people who are most successful are those who are doing what they love." - Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett, one of the most successful investors of all time, sheds light on the importance of passion in success. This passion often translates into fostering strong professional relationships.
"Effective networking isn't a result of luck - it requires hard work and persistence." - Lewis Howes
Lewis Howes, a former professional football player turned entrepreneur and author, emphasizes that effective networking—a cornerstone of business relationships—doesn't happen by chance. It's a result of consistent hard work and dedication.
Business, at its core, is about human interactions. It's about building and nurturing relationships that drive value and growth. These relationships fuel the spirit of entrepreneurship, igniting the path to unprecedented success.
Quotes About Mastering the Art of Building Strong Professional Relationships
Navigating the professional world can sometimes feel like maneuvering a ship through a storm. The one beacon that can guide you through the turbulence is a sturdy network of strong professional relationships. Whether it's mentors who provide insight, colleagues who inspire, or contacts who open doors, the connections we cultivate throughout our careers can be the difference between being adrift or sailing smoothly towards our goals. Here are some insightful quotes from remarkable achievers on nurturing professional relationships:
"The single greatest 'people skill' is a highly developed & authentic interest in the other person." - Bob Burg
Bob Burg, a prominent author and speaker on sales, marketing, and influence, underscores the importance of genuine interest in others when it comes to building strong professional relationships.
"People do business with those they know, like, and trust." - Bob Burg
Bob Burg hits the mark again, reminding us that in the professional world, being known, liked, and trusted are key to forming solid relationships.
"Personal relationships are always the key to good business. You can buy networking; you can't buy friendships." - Lindsay Fox
Lindsay Fox, an Australian business magnate and philanthropist, differentiates between networking and friendships. It's those friendships that often lead to fruitful business relationships.
"The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships." - Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins, an internationally acclaimed life and business strategist, asserts that the quality of our relationships directly impacts the quality of our life, a statement that holds true in the professional sphere as well.
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." - Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie, renowned for his leadership and interpersonal skills training, gives us a golden rule to follow. To build strong professional relationships, shift the focus from yourself to others.
"Find the smartest people you can and surround yourself with them." - Marissa Mayer
Marissa Mayer, former president and CEO of Yahoo, offers a simple yet profound piece of advice. Surrounding yourself with smart individuals can significantly enrich your professional life and strengthen your network.
"We are what our relationships have made us." - Sheryl Sandberg
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and a champion for women in business, points out the profound impact our relationships have on shaping us. In a professional context, these relationships not only mold our career trajectories but also influence our personal growth and leadership styles.
By mastering the art of building strong professional relationships, we lay the foundation for enduring success, driving both our personal and professional growth. The power lies in genuine connections, interest in others, and surrounding ourselves with those who inspire and challenge us.
Networking: Fueling Personal Growth and Innovation
Ever pondered why networking is considered such a critical skill for personal growth and innovation? Simple: Networking brings together a vibrant mix of minds, each carrying unique experiences, perspectives, and ideas. It's this diversity that sparks creativity, encourages mutual learning, and spurs innovative solutions. Here's what some high achievers have to say about networking's role in fostering personal growth and innovation:
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., believed that passion drives exceptional work. Networking can help fuel this passion, connecting us with like-minded individuals and inspiring us to strive for greatness.
"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." - Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and philanthropist, underscores the importance of associating with people who uplift and inspire you. The right network can be a powerful tool for personal growth.
"Innovation comes from the producer - not from the customer." - W. Edwards Deming
W. Edwards Deming, a renowned engineer, statistician, and management consultant, emphasizes that innovation springs from the producer's side. Networking plays a crucial role in this by bringing together diverse minds to exchange ideas and inspire innovative solutions.
"Learning never exhausts the mind." - Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, one of the greatest minds in history, reminds us that learning is an endless journey. Networking can serve as an invaluable source of new knowledge, insights, and ideas, fueling continuous learning and personal growth.
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, encourages us to shed doubts and look forward to the potential of tomorrow. Networking can help remove doubts, provide support, and inspire confidence in our abilities.
"The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers." - Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader, an influential American political activist, underlines the importance of creating leaders. Networking offers opportunities to mentor and be mentored, thereby fostering leadership skills.
By stimulating thought, encouraging learning, inspiring innovation, and nurturing leadership skills, networking can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth. It's a gateway to self-development, driving us to exceed our own expectations and reach new heights of success.
Nurturing and Maintaining Your Professional Network Over Time
A robust professional network requires constant nurturing and attention. It's not merely about meeting new people or adding connections on LinkedIn—it's about establishing, maintaining, and strengthening these relationships over time. A well-nourished network can serve as a constant source of support, opportunities, and knowledge. Let's explore this crucial aspect of networking through the wise words of successful individuals:
"I've come to believe that connecting is one of the most important business—and life—skill sets you'll ever learn. Why? Because, flat out, people do business with people they know and like. Careers—in every imaginable field—work the same." - Keith Ferrazzi
Keith Ferrazzi, a renowned author and networking expert, asserts the significance of 'connecting', which goes beyond just meeting and emphasizes the nurturing and maintaining of relationships.
"To build a long-term, successful enterprise, when you don't close a sale, open a relationship." - Patricia Fripp
Patricia Fripp, an executive speech coach and sales trainer, reminds us again of the long-term view of relationships in business and networking. It's not just about the immediate sale or deal, but about opening a relationship that can bring countless opportunities down the line.
"Be genuinely interested in everyone you meet and everyone you meet will be genuinely interested in you." - Rasheed Ogunlaru
Rasheed Ogunlaru, a life coach and motivational speaker, offers a simple yet profound rule for networking. Genuine interest fosters stronger relationships that can endure the test of time.
"Stay in touch with your human contacts. Email or write notes or letters to those you haven't been in touch with for a while. A 'hello' can generate a lot of goodwill." - Harvey Mackay
Harvey Mackay, an author and business guru, emphasizes the importance of keeping in touch with your network, highlighting that a simple 'hello' can maintain a relationship and generate goodwill.
"Diversity: the art of thinking independently together." - Malcolm Forbes
Malcolm Forbes, publisher of Forbes magazine, underlines the value of diversity in networking, which can only be sustained through careful nurturing of relationships.
"Sustaining a successful business is a hell of a lot of work, and staying hungry is half the battle." - Wendy Tan White
Wendy Tan White, a tech entrepreneur and investor, brings attention to the continued effort and hunger required to sustain success, which undoubtedly applies to nurturing and maintaining professional networks.
Building and maintaining your professional network is a dynamic and continuous process. By showing genuine interest, keeping in touch, and valuing the diversity within your network, you can ensure that it remains vibrant, enriching, and beneficial over time.
Networking in Times of Adversity
Adversity and challenge are integral parts of life, and they don't exclude our professional journeys. These are times when we may feel inclined to retreat and isolate ourselves. However, it's precisely in these challenging moments when reaching out to our network can provide us with the support, guidance, and strength we need to prevail. Here's what some high achievers have to say about networking during tough times:
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination." - Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean, a renowned country singer and businessman, reminds us that while we can't control external events, we can adapt our approach. Networking is a powerful tool for adapting to adverse circumstances in our professional lives.
"Don't be intimidated by what you don't know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else." - Sara Blakely
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx and a self-made billionaire, encourages us to embrace the unknown. In times of adversity, reaching out to your network for advice and guidance can help turn uncertainty into strength.
"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." - Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein, one of the greatest physicists of all time, teaches us to see opportunity amidst difficulty. Networking during challenging times can open up new avenues, possibilities, and partnerships.
"Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful." - Zig Ziglar
Zig Ziglar, a celebrated author, and motivational speaker, highlights that adversity can pave the way to success. Networking can play a key role in this journey, offering support, solutions, and encouragement when we most need it.
"Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it." - Charles R. Swindoll
Charles R. Swindoll, a prominent author, and pastor, underscores the importance of our reactions over circumstances. Networking equips us with the resources to respond effectively to challenges and transform them into opportunities.
"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.
Martin Luther King Jr., the iconic civil rights leader, reminds us that true character is revealed in times of challenge and controversy. Networking during these times not only provides support but also showcases our resilience and character to others.
By providing us with fresh perspectives, guidance, and unwavering support, our professional network can be an invaluable ally during difficult times. It helps us adapt, evolve, and turn our challenges into stepping stones towards success.
Conclusion
We've journeyed through the wisdom of accomplished individuals, learning about the undeniable importance of professional networking. From making impressions to nurturing relationships and showing resilience, we've unpacked the art of connecting.
Would you like to put these insights into practice? That's where Poked comes into play.
Poked is a distraction-free LinkedIn SaaS tool. It allows you to organize your contacts, manage your LinkedIn inbox like a pro, and build stronger relationships with your network. With Poked, you can take the rich insights from these networking quotes and translate them into tangible actions.
Ready to elevate your networking game? Get started with Poked for free today!
Stay tuned to our blog for more on LinkedIn strategies and high-level networking. Happy networking!