13 March 2024

The BEST Networking Secrets to Grow Your Business with Jen Gottlieb

1Frameworks

5Insights

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Frameworks in this episode

Influence6 steps

Give-First Connection Dinner

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Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster06:40

Even Confident Speakers Can Dread Networking Rooms

Jen and Jasmine both describe feeling introverted or awkward in unfamiliar groups despite being experienced public speakers. Their experience challenges the assumption that visible confidence eliminates networking anxiety or that discomfort means someone should stay home.

Stage confidence and social ease are different abilities.
Many attendees feel nervous before unfamiliar gatherings.
People can be reluctant beforehand and grateful afterward.
Structured interaction reduces the burden of entering conversations.

“I'm always happy I went, but I always and it's so funny.”
Jen Gottlieb · 07:06

“I actually, I know people wouldn't believe this about you or I, but I have a hard time getting into conversations.”
Jasmine Star · 21:13

#introversion#networking anxiety#confidence#social skills

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take09:19

You May Be One Connection Away from the Next Opportunity

Jen argues that relationships frequently unlock goals more effectively than isolated effort. The claim is not simply that more contacts are better, but that one relevant relationship can connect a person to information, help, or an opportunity they could not access alone.

A single relevant relationship can change an outcome.
Connection compounds when people introduce others.
Helping someone is a practical way to begin a relationship.
Network quality matters more than indiscriminate contact volume.

“you're always one connection away from getting the thing that you want, or maybe from something really cool”
Jen Gottlieb · 09:19

“the key to growing and getting everything that you want is by making connections.”
Jen Gottlieb · 11:28

#relationships#opportunity#social capital#business growth

Explainer· 2

Explainer08:06

What a High Quick Start Score Looks Like in Practice

Jen and Jasmine discuss the Quick Start dimension of the Kolbe assessment as a description of how readily someone acts amid uncertainty. Jen and Chris move almost immediately from an idea to experimentation, while Jasmine prefers to gather somewhat more detail before accelerating.

Quick Start reflects a style rather than a measure of worth.
High scorers tend to act and solve details along the way.
Lower scores are not inherently worse.
Mixed working styles can strengthen a team.

“I'm a nine quick start and he's a ten.”
Jen Gottlieb · 08:06

“And then and there's not a right or wrong or a better or worse, it's just the type of person that you are.”
Jasmine Star · 08:42

#kolbe#work style#teams#execution

Explainer19:43

Why Honest Requests Make Successful People Feel More Human

Jen describes high-profile attendees admitting that they need friends, companionship, or help finding a partner. Hearing accomplished people express ordinary needs reduces isolation and creates psychological safety for everyone else in the room.

Status does not remove personal needs.
Specific vulnerability gives others permission to be honest.
Shared needs weaken social comparison.
Safety enables deeper relationships than polished self-presentation.

“And it makes everybody else feel less alone in their shit.”
Jen Gottlieb · 19:43

“And when you create that safety in a space, it creates deep connection and it's really awesome.”
Jen Gottlieb · 20:30

#vulnerability#psychological safety#connection#loneliness

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway02:22

Successful People Start Before They Know the Plan

Jen identifies imperfect action as the shared trait among the series' otherwise very different guests. Their original plans often changed, but taking a courageous first step generated experiences and opportunities that only made sense in retrospect.

Readiness is not a prerequisite for useful action.
Uncertainty does not prevent the first step.
Initial plans often evolve into better outcomes.
Past actions become coherent when viewed backward.

“They all started something before they felt ready to start.”
Jen Gottlieb · 02:22

“I always find that they just start without knowing the plan.”
Jen Gottlieb · 02:47

#imperfect action#courage#entrepreneurship#uncertainty