From My Inbox: The Dual Power of Networks

A networking question I'm frequently asked is (typically by a woman who is overwhelmed on where to focus her networking efforts and/or fixated on the time she imagines needs to be devoted to networking):

when networking, should I go for breadth or depth?

✅ Here’s the quick answer: you need both.
✅ Here’s the bigger truth: having only one of these networks will stall your ambition.

Relying on a single network (whether it's a network of depth or solely of breadth) will not in and of itself get us where we hope to arrive.

Let me illustrate - with an example from my networked career.

Back in 2001-2002 when I was navigating a planned career pivot, I quickly came to realize that I need to insert myself into multiple industry networks (breadth) while simultaneously cultivating a few deep, trusted connections to guide me on the career transition journey (that's the depth).

The wide, industry networks (breadth) kept me plugged into the pulse of the profession I was entering.

The deeper ties (depth) helped me move strategically into the role I was seeking. These contacts - some new, some longer-standing - provided mentorship and guidance. They sourced opportunities, and showed me how to navigate these conversations to success.

My transition was ultimately successful because I developed both networks.

Without both? I would’ve been lost in the noise of other equally qualified applicants — or stuck on the sidelines wondering how to get into the game.

Here’s why this matters:

🗝️ Broad networks float up novel opportunities, signal shifts in trends, and expose you to new ideas. To pivot, innovate, reinvent, or reimagine your next move, to spread your innovative ideas far and wide, you need the resiliency of a network that cuts across a broad spectrum of titles, roles, industries, sectors, geographies etc.

🗝️ Deep networks help you vet the novel opportunities revealed by a broad network, as well being a unique source of opportunities aka the hidden job-market. Deep networks provide invaluable insights on conquering tricky situations, and navigating the messy middle.

Women often excel at depth — the emotional, trusted, long-game connections. The connections built on frequent dialog and vulnerable conversations is where our networking often stalls.

But when we place a heavy reliance on close confidants, and downplay the need for networks of breadth...we risk insularity. We risk being left out of critical conversations because we didn’t even know they were happening. We risk making the wrong choices. We risk not reaching the rung of the success ladder we're reaching for.

What to do?

💡 Recognize that getting too comfortable in one network — even if it’s full of support — can quietly hold you back. The job you want, the badass idea of yours that needs amplifying, the pivot you haven’t even imagined yet — it might live outside your current inner circle.

💡 Acknowledge that depending on where you're at in your career, your networking will tend to emphasize one network (broad or deep) perhaps more than the other. Emphasis on emphasize one network - this does not mean completely ignore or disregard the other.

💡 Commit to continuously building connections. Networks are, and have always been, a career must-have, not a "I'll get to it someday" nice to-do-list item. If you're not building the connections you not only need for your career today, but quite possibly, for the one you'll want tomorrow — that’s worth examining.

Your networking move this week:

💡 Audit your network, and consider whether you are over-relying on one network type to the detriment of building connections with the other?

💡 Which network (broad or deep) have you been quietly neglecting?

💡 Return to The Power of Why and (re)assess your networking choices.

The Build Your Dream Network Flashback:

Build Your Dream Network illustrates the need for both close allies (network depth) and loose ties (network breadth) in the career case-studies of Varelie Croes (p.109-112, and p.187-192) and Jennifer Johnson (p.26-29). And the post How Deep (or Wide) Is Your Network? More Career Options Comes From Having Both on the BYDN blog.

Next week, I’ll unpack how high-achieving women structure their networks differently (hint: it has a lot to do with network duality!).

Leap ahead:

🚀 The Networks Women Need – And How To Cultivate Them (BYDN Blog)

🚀 Making MBA alumni networking work better for women (FT)

🚀 Research: How Women Can Build High-Status Networks (HBR)

🚀 Successful Women Don’t Network The Way Guys Do (BYDN Blog)

🚀 20 Ways To Build A Strong Business Network - Without Leaving Your Desk (LinkedIn)