The One Networking Question You Should Always Ask

Hey there,

If there's one thing I've learned over my years in business, it's the long-term wealth of a robust network.

The relationships you cultivate, the people you help, the connections you foster - these are the invisible assets that power your long-term success. Especially as a fractional executive, where so much of our work comes through referral and reputation.

But here's what most people get wrong about networking: They think it's about working the room at industry events, swapping as many business cards as possible. Or they think it's about blasting their LinkedIn connections with self-promotional spam.

In reality, the most effective networkers are the ones who approach relationship-building as a long game. They're always looking for ways to add value, make meaningful introductions, and be a trusted resource - long before they ever make an ask.

At a recent CTOx Accelerator meetup, we traded some of our favorite networking "power moves." Here are a few of the highlights:

• Offer to give a talk or workshop to a relevant industry group. Position yourself as a thought leader while providing real value to your target audience. (Bonus: You get to showcase your expertise in a room full of potential clients!)

• When attending events, book a nice dinner or afterparty in advance. Invite interesting people you meet throughout the day to join. Suddenly, you're the connector everyone wants to know.

• Always follow up a good conversation with a personalized email. Reiterate any commitments, share relevant resources, and suggest a next step. (Even if it's just "I'll check back in a month to see how X project is going!")

• And my personal favorite: End every meeting or call with "Who else should I be talking to?"

That last one is my secret weapon. You'd be amazed how often a casual connection will open up their network when you ask this question. Suddenly, your web of weak ties becomes a powerful referral engine.

The key with all of these tactics? They're not about extracting value - they're about creating it. They're not about making a quick sale - they're about building lasting relationships.

So as you go about your networking this month, challenge yourself to lead with generosity. Resist the urge to make it all about you. Focus on being radically helpful, genuinely curious, and above all, human.

The business will follow.

I'd love to hear your own networking power moves. What's the one habit or question that's brought you the most serendipitous success? 

Always connecting dots,
Lior

Lior Weinstein
Founder & Head Coach, CTOx

P.S. Craving more conversations like this? Consider joining the CTOx Accelerator. We host weekly group meetups and ongoing workshops so our CTOs are expanding their networks week over week.