You Should Know: Networking
Jon Levy wants you to stop networking.
At least that’s what he told us when we heard him speak to a small group of leaders at an event in San Francisco last week. But that doesn’t mean he eschews connection.
“The quality of our lives, our careers, and our overall well-being is a by-product of who we are connected to, how much they trust us, and our overall sense of belonging,” Levy once told a Forbes reporter.
In his powerful book, You’re Invited: The Art and Science of Connection, Trust, and Belonging, Levy argues that success in any endeavor—business, social causes, or personal growth—depends fundamentally on the meaningful connections we build and the trust we establish with others. That’s exactly how the behavioral scientist got his start, convincing Nobel laureates, Olympians, celebrities, and Fortune 500 executives to cook him dinner and thank him for the experience, despite having no reputation or status.
Levy’s “Influencer Dinners”, which the book explores, are secret gatherings at his Manhattan apartment where high-achieving guests cook together without discussing careers or sharing last names until mealtime. Once seated, the guests even have the chance to guess what their seatmates do for a living – often to hysterical results. The approach creates authentic connections by removing traditional networking dynamics that people find uncomfortable and manipulative.
That’s the entire point, says Levy, who ties this learning into his broader “Influence Equation”, which posits that influence is the positive result of connection multiplied by trust. True influence stems from the integrity of relationships and strength of community, rather than traditional power metrics. In other words, when people spend time and energy together, trust grows. Influence emerges from that trust. (It is no surprise that after 300 intimate dinners, the relationships formed have led to all manner of professional opportunities for its guests.)
But it’s not all professional. Ultimately, Levy’s work emphasizes that the quality of our very lives is defined by those we surround ourselves with. As he says, sustainable influence doesn’t come from transactional exchanges. It comes from creating true connections based on belonging and mutual support.
The key is getting started. Levy’s book can help.
“The most universal strategy for success is creating meaningful connections with those who can impact you, your life, and the things you care about.” - Jon Levy
Links
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Citations: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a37003421/jon-levy-book-youre-invited/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisacohn/2021/05/11/stop-networking-heres-what-to-do-instead/