From Performing to Connecting: Finding Authenticity in Networking

What if networking didn’t have to feel like a performance? In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Jen Fort, author, encourager, and creator of "Connectworking," to reimagine what connection can look like when it’s rooted in generosity, presence, and truth. Together, we explore how letting go of the “perfect pitch” and embracing authenticity leads to more meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. Show Notes | Transcript "You have to get into a right mindset, I believe, when you start those conversations, because if not you'll come across as if you've got that loop playing in your head of well, why would somebody want to spend time talking to me?" - Jen Fort If you've ever felt like networking is one more thing you're supposed to be good at but secretly dread, consider this episode your permission to do it differently. You'll discover: Why the word "networking" itself makes people recoil—and what to call it instead The one question that opens doors without feeling salesy or awkward How to walk into a room where you know no one and become the person everyone wants to talk to (hint: arrive early) The "safari strategy" for reaching out to people without making them—or you—anxious Why leading with generosity isn't just nice, it's strategic A simple spreadsheet system for staying in touch without turning into a robot The power of a handwritten note in a world drowning in emails We also talk about something unexpected: how a LinkedIn connection led to a conversation that changed my health. It's evidence that real connections don't just help your business. They can also change your life. This isn't about collecting contacts. It's about building a circle of people who actually matter to you, and letting yourself matter to them. If you've been showing up to networking events with a knot in your stomach, or avoiding them altogether because they feel fake, this conversation might be the reset you need. Resources: Join the Soulful Women's Network: https://www.facebook.com/groups/soulfulwomensnetwork Receive daily inspirational email messages: bit.ly/LoveLightNotes Need support? Go to engagewithgloria.com to schedule a call. Connect with Jen Website: jen-fort.com Website: wisdomandwarnings.com IG and Facebook: @wisdomandwarnings Connect with Live Love Engage: Send Gloria Grace a message ☕ Support the podcast ❤ Love this episode? Leave us a review and rating LinkedIn: Gloria Grace Rand Facebook: Gloria Grace Rand YouTube: Gloria Grace Rand TRANSCRIPT: From Performing to Connecting: Finding Authenticity in Networking Guest: Jen Fort Host: Gloria Grace Rand Podcast: Live Love Engage Introduction: Moving Beyond Forced Networking Gloria Grace (Host): Namaste. Are you tired of networking that just feels forced and fake? Well, stay tuned because my guest and I are going to be talking about how asking the right questions and leading with generosity can actually transform that awkward small talk into powerful connections that actually help your business and soul thrive. But first I do want to welcome you to Live Love Engage, especially if this is your first time joining us. I am Gloria Grace, founder of Align to Shine Academy, and I help women entrepreneurs like you. I'm assuming that you are a woman entrepreneur listening to this, but I help you turn your inner critic into your greatest marketing asset. And joining us in just a moment is Jen Fort, and she is an author, encourager and creator of Connect Working, a new take on networking. That's all about real connection. She shares wisdom for life's milestones with heart, humor and honesty. And whether you're starting fresh or reaching out, Jen helps you grow your circle and your courage. One meaningful convo, she says in her bio at a time. So without further ado, I'm going to bring her on and welcome you, Jen, officially to Live Love Engage. Jen Fort (Guest): Well, hello, great to be here. Thanks for having me. Gloria Grace: Well, I am delighted to have you because I have been a networker now for well let's see, I guess well over 15 years, since I started my business way back in 2009. And it's been an interesting journey. Some days I like it, some days I don't. I even founded my own networking group in the past couple of years and so, but I know definitely, as an entrepreneur, it's not always easy. So I loved the name of your or how you phrase this as connect working. So I'm wondering what caused you to come up with that way of referring to networking. Did you have some type of, you know, bad oh, should we say experience that's the word I'm looking for that led to that. So I'm curious. From Corporate Career to Connect Working: An Unexpected Journey Jen Fort: Yeah. So this all came about? I had been working in the corporate world for almost 20 years and I had what I call an unexpected departure and which that caused a 180 degree pivot in my career and it landed me in the role of a career transition coach. So I catch people when they get laid off, help dust them off, figure out where they need to go next and I send them on their merry way with some tips and tricks and tools. And one thing I learned through those conversations because networking is such a big part of finding your next job or anything related to business but every time we talked about networking it almost looked like the person felt like they were going to go into a root canal. They just got that awkward, cringy kind of feel and look and they're like, oh, it's the last thing I want to be doing. So through those conversations I just thought you know, networking is really just about human connection view of what networking is. So it's really about human connection and, yeah, there is a bit of work to be done when you're trying to make those human connections. So I just kind of it just came to me one day. It's like it's connecting, it's working, it's connect working, and that's just kind of how the concept came up. Building Real Connections Through Authentic Conversation Gloria Grace: Well, I love that because, you're right, it is all about building connections, and I know one of the networking groups that I had joined years ago. What I loved, what made it different from some of the other groups that I had been attending in, was the fact that they would do masterminds during our luncheons and where we could talk not only about issues that were going on in our business but even in our personal lives and we and you know and that was encouraged that we could, you know, talk about and to really be real and Women's Prosperity Network. I will tell you that that's what. What the name of the organization was and is, and I'm still a member. Yeah, there were other networking groups that I've gone to where it was just you know people, just oh, here's my business card and you know, and it's like that's not really you know, I'd like to maybe get to know you. So, you know, I mentioned in the lead in here is that it's about asking right questions. So what's maybe like a favorite question that you have that you would like to ask people when you are first connecting with someone? The Power of Asking Better Questions Jen Fort: Well, if it is in a, especially if it's in a business scenario, I like to ask them what's the most interesting thing you've done this week? And it just gets off of the. It gets them curious about what's lighting them on fire. Because, if you think about it, when are people most open and engaging and wanting to have a conversation? When they're talking about themselves, right. So by you opening up a conversation with something that helps them share something they're passionate about or they're excited about, that just opens the door to a bit of a more genuine conversation, and then you can take and pivot a conversation in any direction pretty much, but it's really about getting them to talk about themselves really about getting them to talk about themselves. Common Networking Mistakes That Kill Connection Gloria Grace: Well, and actually I want to kind of go back here because I know I explained part of what the reason why I get turned off at times from networking Maybe. What are? Because, like I said, I think that's a huge mistake that people make is thinking they can just walk up and hand you their business card. What are some maybe other key mistakes that people might make when they do go networking that you've seen them make? That is going to maybe stop that connection from happening. Jen Fort: It's the intimidation factor of thinking that folks are higher in the food chain than they are. Because when you walk into, or whether it's virtually or in person, the automatic assumption that this person is out of touch, out of reach, that they are of an executive level and I am only a lowly manager or that. Why it's a little bit of that. It's the cliche term right now the imposter syndrome. Why would somebody want to talk to me? I'm just a blank, there's nothing interesting about me. So it's. You have to get into a right mindset, I believe, when you start those conversations, because if not you'll come across as if you've got that loop playing in your head of well, why would somebody want to spend time talking to me? It comes out in your mannerisms, your eye contact, your body language. So sometimes you just need to kind of pump yourself up a little bit and I kind of like having people practice casual, small conversations outside of a typical formal networking environment just to get comfortable with having random conversations with random people. Networking Tips for Introverts: Arrive Early and Be the Greeter Gloria Grace: Yeah, I think that's a really good suggestion for people to be able to do, because it does, it takes that intimidation factor away and it takes your nervousness away because especially and I go, I know, for me I'm I'm an introvert in some situations and and