The single best way I built my network does not involve:
- Small talk
- Awkward moments at cringey events
- Handing out business cards
…or Speed-networking.

Quite the opposite.

How have I met amazing people and worked with businesses and leaders all around the world?

All I’ve done is sit in my home office and speak to my computer.

Let me explain:

In 2018 I kicked off my podcast, First Time Facilitator because I wanted to get better at leading workshops.

My amazing manager, Darrell Cox, was brave enough to throw me in the ring, and send me to run leadership development programs in places like Mongolia, Canada, and Mackay.

But I didn’t know how to host these workshops. Who teaches this?

So, I scratched my own itch and reached out to more experienced workshop hosts.
Asked them questions.
Recorded the conversations.
And hit Publish.

Over time, gradually, more listeners from around the world would reach out.

Fast forward 5 years, and I got to hear that “How did you discover the podcast” origin story from Tim Ferguson - Communication Specialist.

Tim is a Canadian, based in Switzerland, and is brilliant at his craft of communication. It's what he's been doing for decades.

He discovered the podcast one day when he was trying to find some helpful resources for his clients about hosting workshops.

He got in touch, and of course, because of his wisdom and passion for hosting incredible events, I invited him to be a guest on the show.

Here's the irony:
We met up in Melbourne this week.
Why was I there?
To deliver work for one of Tim’s clients!!

So:

If everyone tells you you need to get out more (which you know, I do encourage from time to time), just to let you know there is a secret other path to meeting amazing people, and growing your brand internationally :)

#networking #relationships