As we approach the end of the year, there’s often a belief that people are “checking out,” especially with the holidays around the corner. Whether or not that’s true, the real question isn’t whether you should keep networking—it’s about how you approach networking. This isn’t just a seasonal question; it’s an internal check-in that reflects your overall mindset toward connecting with others.
Your perspective on networking shapes how empowered or disconnected you feel from its potential. That mindset can directly impact how you build connections, discover new opportunities, and maintain relationships that support your personal and professional growth.
Harvard Business Review breaks this down into two primary networking mindsets:
Prevention-focused: People with this mindset see networking as a necessary evil. They tend to feel inauthentic, engage less, and consequently miss out on opportunities to expand their influence.
Promotion-focused: These people approach networking with curiosity, openness, and a genuine interest in the possibilities that can unfold. They don’t see networking as a burden but as an avenue for growth and connection.
Which mindset resonates for you?
Prevention-Focused Mindset
At various points in my career, I’ve found myself in this space—viewing networking as narcissistically transactional and burdensome. As an introvert, it often felt like I had to be someone I wasn’t to build and maintain relationships. Early on, I believed I had little to offer in return, which made asking for help feel uncomfortable and, honestly, ineffective.
Even later, when I reached positions of influence, such as being a buyer at CBS and EPIX, I fell into the trap of seeing others’ interest in me as purely self-serving. Instead of setting healthy boundaries, I avoided networking altogether. Looking back, this not only limited my opportunities but also went against my core values of growth and learning.
A prevention-focused mindset can limit your ability to build meaningful connections that support personal and professional growth. This mindset can lead to a narrowed vision, where networking feels like just another task to complete rather than a valuable tool for long-term success and new opportunities.
Promotion-Focused Mindset
On the other side of the spectrum are those who approach networking like they’re browsing a well-curated marketplace. They’re open to surprises, not attached to immediate outcomes, and operate from a place of curiosity. They understand that relationships—whether you’re leading a team, managing a project, or growing in your career—can fuel innovation, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for growth.
What’s interesting is that many of the executives I know with this mindset aren’t the loudest voices in the room. In fact, several are introverts who have learned that meaningful networking isn’t about schmoozing—it’s about aligning relationships with their values and long-term goals.
When you’re grounded in your values, networking stops feeling like an obligation and starts becoming an avenue for exploring new possibilities—whether it’s finding the next strategic partner, mentoring an up-and-coming leader, or simply staying in tune with industry trends.
Aligning Networking with Your Values
When it comes to whether you should keep networking as the year wraps up—or pause until after the holidays—the question really becomes: what value are you honoring? It’s not just about “should” you network, but why you network.
If networking aligns with your values of building authentic relationships, expanding your influence, or fostering innovation, then continuing to engage might feel aligned with where you’re at in your professional journey. On the other hand, if taking a break allows you to recharge, reflect, and refocus, that can be equally valuable. Both are valid approaches.
But it’s important to ask:
What value are you honoring in continuing to network, and what value are you honoring in taking a break?
It’s not unusual to find yourself with conflicting values. However, understanding when networking serves a strategic purpose and when it might just be another task on the to-do list will help clarify the decision to network. After all, you’re not just building your LinkedIn; you’re building an ecosystem that supports your vision and leadership.
Using Networking as a Strategic Career Tool
Networking is about more than just personal advancement—it’s about building influence and creating opportunities. It’s not just about who you know but how you can leverage those relationships to unlock new potential, whether that means securing a partnership, finding a mentor, collaborating on a new project, or gaining insights that help you make informed decisions.
This is where shifting from a prevention-focused mindset to a promotion-focused mindset becomes critical. When you view networking as a strategy for unlocking new opportunities—whether for your team, your company, or your career growth—you can approach it with more excitement and purpose. It becomes less about simply “getting through it” and more about cultivating both strong and “weak” relationships that can have a lasting impact. I posted about the value of “weak” relationships here.
Is Everyone Taking a Break?
It’s hard to say for sure whether everyone is taking a break from networking. But rather than relying on what others are doing, the more important question is:
What do you want to do?
Networking during this time isn’t just about following the crowd—it’s about aligning your actions with your values and goals. Whether others are active or not, your internal check-in will guide you toward the choice that makes sense for your career and energy levels. (Remember to trust your intuition. I have an upcoming post about the distinction between intuition and instinct.)
Bottom Line
As you reflect on your approach to networking during this time of year, consider how your mindset is shaping your experiences. Whether you're looking to build new relationships, strengthen existing ones, or simply take a break to recharge, it’s essential to make these decisions based on your values and long-term goals. Networking doesn’t have to feel like a chore when it’s aligned with what truly matters to you.
Remember, meaningful connections—whether with colleagues, mentors, or industry peers—are built over time, not just when it’s convenient. The quality of your network often reflects the quality of your engagement with it. By fostering curiosity and maintaining an open mind, you can turn what may seem like a routine interaction into a moment of discovery or growth.
As the year winds down, give yourself the space to assess what kind of relationships will support your personal and professional journey. Whether you decide to push ahead or take a step back, know that the connections you cultivate are an integral part of your long-term success.
Journal Prompts
Here are three journal prompts to help you reflect more deeply on your networking mindset and whether you should take a break for the holidays or not:
1. Do you tend to approach networking from a prevention-focused mindset (seeing it as a necessary evil) or a promotion-focused mindset (approaching it with curiosity and openness)? How has this mindset shaped your professional relationships so far?
2. What core values do you hold that can guide your networking efforts? Consider moments when networking felt authentic and aligned with your values. How can you bring more of that into your future interactions?
3. As the year winds down, what would feel most meaningful for you—continuing to network or taking a break? How can you make sure this decision is based on your current energy, goals, and personal values rather than external assumptions about what others are doing?
What’s Coming Next Week
Awe is the feeling of amazement and wonder. Awe brings fresh eyes to the familiar and can connect you with inspiration, hope and gratitude. Feels like a perfect topic for Thanksgiving week. 🦃
Sources
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