Network like the Elite

Networking tips from elite financial superhub expert Sandra Navidi.

I recently listened to a podcast from BeyondGlobal CEO Sandra Navidi, a frequent attendee at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, friend and advisor to George Soros, and author of the book ‘Super-Hubs: how the Financial Elite and their Networks Rule our World’ (2017). I thought it would be valuable to share her tips on networking in elite circles. I love this advice because, as well as making you a great networker, it trains you to see the innate dignity of every person and the potential value they could offer. These are only some brief notes I took from her interview:

1. Quality over quantity: The elite invest in their friendships and aim to obtain deep, trusting bonds that span years and decades. To people with seemingly infinite wealth, relationships are worth more than gold, and they cherish them as such.
2. The super-elite generally possesses a positive view of humanity. As well as being extremely industrious, they are naturally curious about people and work on the premise that you can learn something from everyone.
3. You never know where you will meet whom. You shouldn’t prejudge people because you never know what any encounter could bring. Cultivate a natural disposition to be open to meeting people.
4. Build social capital in advance: elite networkers consider how they can help others and what they can offer in advance without expecting something in return immediately. What do you have that could help someone today? Be generous in the pursuit of forming connections. This social capital will be there if you are ever in trouble and need help.
5. Networking isn’t a bad word. Building connections doesn’t mean you have to be inauthentic or two-faced. It should come from a genuine interest in other people and their companionship.
6. The skill of a good network is to get along with people who may not like you.
7. Have a conversational currency; come with interesting things to talk about. The lower you are on the hierarchy, the more you have to work for it. Educate yourself about one or several topics: art, culture, history, music, and travel. If you don’t have financial capital, build cultural capital by becoming an expert.

I would love to hear your thoughts or if you have anything to add to the list.