The Impact of Networking and Skill-Building Opportunities
- Dan Freschi - EDGE
- 34 minutes ago
- 4 min read
In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s not enough to be good at what you do. You have to grow, connect, and choose to lead yourself forward. That’s the foundation of everything I write about in Where Leadership Begins. Success isn’t static. It’s built one intentional decision at a time. And two of the most important decisions you can make in your career? Choosing to build meaningful relationships and choosing to develop your skills.
Networking and skill-building are more than career strategies. They are acts of leadership, of taking ownership of your growth, of showing up with curiosity, and of contributing to others. In this post, we’ll explore how to leverage both to create forward momentum in your career and your life.
Skill-Building: Choose to Grow
One of the five essential leadership choices I explore in Where Leadership Begins is the choice to be self-aware. And part of self-awareness is understanding where you need to grow. That’s where skill-building begins.
Skill-building is about more than checking boxes. It’s about choosing to develop the abilities that will help you adapt, stay relevant, and make a bigger impact. The World Economic Forum estimates that over 1 billion people will need reskilling by 2030. That’s not a trend, it’s a reality. Whether it’s digital fluency, data storytelling, emotional intelligence, or public speaking, leaders must embrace lifelong learning.
In Where Leadership Begins, I talk about growth as an ongoing, personal journey. Here are three steps to start yours:
Identify Your Gaps: Ask yourself, “Where am I now, and where do I want to be?” Feedback from trusted peers and mentors can help surface blind spots.
Set Development Goals: Choose 1–2 high-impact areas to focus on. Don’t try to do everything at once. The best leaders grow with intention.
Invest in Resources: Use platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Udemy, or in-house training programs to take the next step in your development.
This is about choosing to be ready before you’re required to be.
Networking: Choose to Connect
When people hear "networking," they often think of awkward mixers and elevator pitches. But real networking is not about collecting contacts. It’s about cultivating relationships. It's about showing up with curiosity and offering value, not just looking for it.
As I write in Where Leadership Begins, leadership is relational. You cannot grow in isolation. Your ability to connect with others, to listen, support, and collaborate, is a differentiator. LinkedIn reports that 80% of professionals say networking is critical to success. Why? Because opportunity often walks through the door of a relationship.
Here’s how to approach networking with authenticity and purpose:
Be Intentional: Attend conferences, webinars, or even local meetups in your industry. Don’t just go, but engage.
Be Consistent: Relationships are built over time. Send a follow-up note. Check in without an agenda. Share an article or idea that adds value.
Be Curious: Ask meaningful questions. Listen more than you speak. Learn what matters to the people you meet.
The best networking is built on trust, not transactions.
Where the Two Intersect: Choose to Multiply Your Growth
Here’s where it gets powerful: when you combine networking and skill-building, you unlock exponential growth. One feeds the other.
Consider this: you attend a leadership workshop on effective communication (skill-building) and meet a senior leader who becomes a mentor (networking). That connection introduces you to a project team in your organization where you can apply your new skills. Now you’re developing in real time, because you chose to engage both dimensions.
Many leadership development experiences, such as the Where Leadership Begins coaching program or Courage Circles, are intentionally designed in this way. They offer not just knowledge but connection. Growth doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Surround yourself with others who are choosing to grow, and you’ll rise together.
Practical Tips to Elevate Your Game
To maximize the benefits of networking and skill-building, consider the following practical tips:
If you’re ready to get serious about your growth, here’s a playbook to help you lead forward:
Be Authentic: People connect with people, not personas. Bring your authentic self to every interaction.
Offer Before You Ask: Share your insights, introduce others, and add value where you can.
Track Your Growth: Use tools like the Where Leadership Begins Individual Development Plan to measure progress. Set milestones, get feedback, and adjust as needed.
Stay in Motion: Whether it’s a new course, a new conversation, or a new commitment, keep moving forward.
Why It Matters: The Long-Term Payoff
You don’t build a leadership legacy overnight. It’s built over time, through choices, big and small, that reflect your commitment to growth and connection.
Skill-building helps you stay ready for what’s next. Networking ensures you don’t face it alone.
Together, they create a career that’s not only resilient but meaningful. You’ll find yourself not just being seen, but being sought out. Not just being effective, but being influential.
Final Thoughts: It’s Your Move
In Where Leadership Begins, I remind leaders that no one is coming to do the work for you. You have to choose. Choose to lead. Choose to grow. Choose to connect. That’s how real, sustainable success is built.
So ask yourself:
Who do I need to connect with this month?
What skill am I committed to developing this quarter?
What opportunities am I missing by staying comfortable?
Your future is not built on what you know—it’s built on what you’re willing to learn and who you’re eager to connect with along the way.
Make the choice. Start today.