(And How to Do It Without Feeling Awkward)
By She Leads Africa | 5 min read | Career Growth
Let’s be honest. The moment someone says “go network”, something inside you probably cringes.
Maybe it brings up images of stiff handshakes at awkward cocktail parties, rehearsed elevator pitches that feel nothing like how you actually talk, or the dreaded small talk that leads absolutely nowhere. If that’s you — you’re not alone, and you’re not wrong for feeling that way.
But here’s what’s also true: the opportunities that have changed women’s careers — promotions, partnerships, investor introductions, job offers, mentorships — they rarely come from a cold application into the void. They come from people who know you, like you, and think of you when something important comes up. That’s networking. And it doesn’t have to feel like a performance.
“Your network isn’t just who you know. It’s who knows what you’re capable of.”
The Myth That’s Keeping You Stuck
A lot of women — especially early in their careers — believe that hard work alone is enough. That if you put your head down, deliver excellent results, and be a team player, the right doors will open.
And while hard work matters, here’s the uncomfortable truth: talent is rarely self-promoting. In most organizations and industries, the people who get seen, considered, and chosen are the ones who’ve built relationships that put them in the room when decisions are being made.
This isn’t about being fake or strategic in a manipulative way. It’s about understanding that careers — like businesses — are built on relationships. And the sooner you embrace that, the faster things can move for you.
What Real Networking Actually Looks Like
Forget the image of the business card swap at a conference. Modern networking — especially for ambitious women — is so much more human than that.
It looks like: reaching out to a woman you admire on LinkedIn just to say her work inspired you. Showing up consistently in a community where your industry peers hang out. Asking someone you respect for a 20-minute virtual coffee chat. Sharing someone else’s win without any expectation of return.
Networking, at its core, is relationship-building. And relationship-building is something you already know how to do — you just need to start applying it intentionally to your career.
“The best networking doesn’t feel like networking. It feels like meeting someone who gets it.”
How to Network Without Feeling Fake: 6 Practical Tips
1. Lead with curiosity, not agenda.
People can smell desperation from a mile away — but genuine curiosity? That’s magnetic. Instead of approaching someone thinking “what can I get from this?” walk in asking “what can I learn from this person?” Ask about their journey, their challenges, what they wish they’d known earlier. Let the conversation breathe.
2. Make it about them first.
The fastest way to be remembered after an event is to make the other person feel genuinely seen. Compliment a specific piece of work they’ve done. Reference something real. Show you actually paid attention. People remember how you made them feel long after they’ve forgotten what you said.
3. Follow up — every single time.
Most people make a connection and then let it disappear into the digital ether. Don’t be most people. Send a message within 48 hours of meeting someone. Reference something from your conversation. No lengthy paragraphs needed — a warm, specific note is more than enough to stand out.
4. Build before you need.
Networking at its worst is transactional — and people can feel that. The women who’ve built the strongest networks didn’t reach out only when they needed something. They showed up, gave value, celebrated others, and contributed to communities long before they ever had a favour to ask.
5. Use your everyday spaces.
Your next connection might be in your LinkedIn comments section, in a WhatsApp group, at your church, at the gym, or at an industry event. You don’t need a formal “networking event” to network. Every space is an opportunity to deepen a relationship — online and offline.
6. Let yourself be known.
You can’t be connected if you’re invisible. Share your work. Talk about what you’re building. Post about what you’re learning. You don’t need a huge following — you need the right people to know what you’re about. Visibility creates luck.
For the Introverts Reading This
We see you. Networking culture tends to be designed for extroverts — loud rooms, fast conversations, constant stimulation. If that’s not your natural environment, it can feel exhausting before you’ve even walked through the door.
Here’s what works for introverts: go in with a plan. Set a small, winnable goal — “I’m going to have three meaningful conversations today.” Not thirty. Three. Then honour your energy. It’s okay to step outside and reset. It’s okay to follow up digitally rather than work a room all night.
Some of the most powerful networkers are introverts — because they listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and follow up brilliantly. That is an edge, not a limitation.
“Three real conversations will always beat thirty forgettable ones.”
Why BoostHer 2026 Is the Perfect Place to Start
Whether you’re just starting to build your network or you’re looking to deepen the connections you already have, the BoostHer Career & Trade Fair 2026 is one of the best rooms you can be in this year.
It’s not a generic event. It’s a space built specifically for women between 18 and 35 — women who are ambitious, purpose-driven, and actively investing in their futures. That shared context means conversations start from a place of understanding, not pretence.
On the day, you’ll have access to career sessions where you can engage directly with industry leaders and recruiters who are actively looking for talent. You’ll sit in on hands-on workshops where you’ll learn alongside other women who are serious about growth. You’ll walk through a trade fair of women-owned businesses — connections that could become customers, collaborators, or champions of your work.
And in the spaces between the sessions — in the hallways, over lunch, at the registration desk — you’ll find the conversations that often matter most. The spontaneous ones. The honest ones. The ones that turn into something real.
Event Details at a Glance:
- Date: Saturday, 2nd May 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM
- Venue: Regal Hall, Daystar Christian Centre, Ikosi Road, Oregun, Lagos
- Who: Women professionals and entrepreneurs, ages 18-35
- Theme: Empowering Her Future, One Skill at a Time
The Bottom Line
Your career will grow as fast as your relationships do. That’s not a motivational quote — it’s just how the world works. The women who are thriving aren’t always the most qualified people in the room. They’re often the most connected, visible, and intentional ones.
So start now. Not when you feel ready. Not when you’ve got the perfect pitch. Start with one genuine conversation. One follow-up message. One event where you show up as yourself and let people meet the real you.
BoostHer 2026 is one of those events. Come ready to connect, to learn, and to be part of something that’s bigger than a one-day fair.
The future is being built. Come help shape it.
Register for BoostHer 2026 — link in bio | #BoostHer2026 #SheLeadsAfrica #EmpoweringHerFuture