Turning Anger into Intentional Networking
If you’re reading this, chances are you are part of a wide circle of women who keep showing up, in different roles, at different stages, carrying different battles.
Many of us have felt anger towards the systems in our industry. Decisions are still made in rooms where women were not invited, and informal alliances in the old boys' club shape careers long before a job posting ever appears.
That anger is understandable. But anger alone doesn’t move systems. Change begins when we choose to step into the spaces where conversations are already happening.
That takes courage.
Industry associations, communities, intimate gatherings, and large conferences all create opportunities for relationships to form and ideas to be exchanged. These spaces are not always perfect, but they are often where meaningful progress begins.
Showing up in these spaces allows us to shift the narrative. When we participate in the conversations shaping our industry, we not only advocate for ourselves but also support and create visibility for the women who follow.
However, even with good intentions, networking can feel heavy. The language and connection-building can feel intimidating. The crowd even more so.
So instead of overcomplicating it, let’s simplify it. Networking often comes down to two moments: the entry and the exit. The middle usually happens naturally when there is a genuine connection.
The Entry
This is the pause at the edge of the room; the internal negotiation.
Sometimes all it takes is movement:
Walk
Make eye contact
Signal openness
When you speak, lower the bar. You don’t need brilliance, you need a bridge.
“What brought you here?”
“What are you working on this year?”
Curiosity connects more effectively than performance.
The Exit
We’ve all stayed in conversations out of politeness, even when they weren’t aligned with our goals or energy.
Leaving is not rejection; it’s awareness.
A simple close works:
“I’ve really enjoyed this, I’m going to circulate a bit more.”
Or
“I’m going to grab a drink before the next session. Thank you for sharing.”
We can be gracious without overextending ourselves.
Networking isn’t about maximizing every interaction. It’s about moving through rooms with clarity: knowing our goals, protecting our energy, and choosing alignment.
We don’t need to conquer every space. We need to choose where we invest.
Because in the end, we are shaped by the circles we step into, and by the ones we choose to extend.
And that is where intention begins.