Why Meeting People Without an Agenda Matters

"And there is certainly truth to that, but it is only part of the picture. The real value of connecting with others does not lie in how many business cards you collect or how many LinkedIn connections you can boast about. It lies in the depth of those relationships, in the human bonds you create when you meet someone without a hidden agenda."

"There is an overlooked flaw in the way many of us approach networking. Too often, when we meet someone new, there is an unspoken question lingering just beneath the surface: "What can this person do for me?" We want our connections to be useful, to help us grow, to open doors to opportunities we might not otherwise access. But when every interaction is filtered through that lens, we risk missing the most valuable part of connecting with another person: the chance to truly see them."

Modern technology and frequent events make expanding a professional network effortless, encouraging people to seize every opportunity to connect. The perceived value of networking often focuses on quantity—business cards, LinkedIn connections—as a pathway to opportunities. True value arises from the depth of relationships and human bonds formed when interactions lack hidden agendas. Approaching introductions with a transactional mindset prompts the unspoken question, 'What can this person do for me?' People sense being 'worked', which makes conversations feel mechanical and forgettable. Genuine engagement, empathy, and seeing the other person create energy that fosters memorable, mutually fulfilling relationships and long-term opportunities.

Read at Business Matters