Stop Asking “What Do You Do?” The Better Question That Builds Real Connection

Most networking starts with the wrong question: “What do you do?”In this conversation, executive coach and classically trained singer Jessica Wan breaks down why that question shuts people down, especially during layoffs, transitions, and identity shifts, and what to ask instead if you want a real connection.We also talk about rebuilding community outside of work, why “together” is her word for 2026, and how her best work happens when the creative side and the business side actually meet.If this hit home, drop a comment with the better question you want to start using.CONNECT WITH JESSICAWebsite: https://www.jessicawan.com/About: https://www.jessicawan.com/about-jessicaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamwan/The Ampersand Manifesto: https://www.theampersandmanifesto.com/Ampersand on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5AMXZidOLLlcRSbjo57dC9Ampersand on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ampersand-manifesto-make-your-mark-in-multiple-fields/id1636945117CONNECT WITH COACHFUL COACHINGYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coachfulcoachingSpotify: https://spotify.link/NTBgVJIL3ybApple: https://apple.co/41Cz5gICHAPTERS00:00 Intro: why “what do you do” fails02:09 Fear-based times and what leaders are feeling04:20 Rebuilding community after leaving a role10:53 How to talk about uncertainty without spiraling14:15 When your network is tied to work identity19:32 The hidden damage of “What do you do?”23:58 Better questions: what are you excited about?29:00 Jessica’s word for 2026: Together30:45 Blending art + business: the Opera Parallel story32:55 Create space and your life fills it36:56 Jessica’s links + The Ampersand Manifesto