Network Is Not a Verb: The Authentic Way to Build Meaningful Professional Relationships for Lifetime Success

Do you maintain an extensive list of contacts and spend countless hours at events handing out business cards―but wonder why your connections rarely translate into meaningful support? Do you dread the thought of spending time on these activities, but worry that your career will stall if you don’t? Or are you at the beginning of your professional journey, with no idea how to meet the people who can help you get ahead?

In “Network” Is Not a Verb, Ellen Poole explains that not only is “networking” not the answer to these dilemmas, its value in our culture is a complete myth when it comes to forging meaningful bonds. Instead, Poole offers a new, core principle for relationship-building success: Become someone whom others want to add to their own professional networks.

Poole provides ten clear, actionable Tactical Tips that anyone can use to become a desired connection for others. Instead of spending time “networking,” you will discover approaches to use in everyday life to develop and maintain enriching new relationships. You also will learn how to avoid common missteps that could unwittingly alienate your new connections. Extrovert or introvert, account manager or accountant―Poole’s guidance will work for you whatever your personality or profession.

Achieving career success in today’s highly competitive world requires more than strong skills and hard work. “Network” Is Not a Verb is a road map to creating a rewarding network of colleagues and friends who will help and support you throughout your lifetime professional journey. Follow its Tips and never “network” again.

Ellen Poole teaches people at all levels of their careers effective strategies to build networks and nurture relationships for professional success. Her audiences have included nationwide corporate teams, law students, and state, local and international professional and trade associations. After graduating from the George Washington University Law School, Poole moved cross country to practice law in Arizona. Despite knowing almost no one when she arrived in her new, adopted state, within six years she had become the fourth woman in U.S. history to be chosen as CEO of a state bankers association and was named by the Phoenix Business Journal as one of its ten most influential people under 40. More recently, Poole spent almost 15 years as a multi-state government relations executive for Fortune 200 company USAA, where she built a professional network spanning the country. She also has worked for the Arizona state legislature and is a graduate of Virginia Tech. Poole’s success with a unique approach to building relationships puts a new spin on the meaning of “network”―and how to build and sustain strong and meaningful relationships in business and in life.