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Welcome to the Executive Connect podcast, a show for the new generation of leaders.
Join Melissa R. Skog as she speaks to a wide variety of guests that bring new insights into
leadership, prosperity, and personal growth.
While now it has all the answers, by building a community of open-minded and
gauge leaders, we hope to give you the tools you need to help you find your own path to success.
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Welcome to the Executive Connect podcast.
I'm so excited to have my birthday sister and friend here with me today,
named Susan.
Susan, would you introduce yourselves to the listeners?
Yes, hi, Melissa.
So excited to see your face today.
I'm Susan Stoklosa.
I am currently calling in from New York City.
I'm happy to see my birthday sister here on live stream.
In Austin, Texas, I currently am in New York City and I work in corporate in a retail environment.
I am a vice president of planning an allocation for G3 retail group.
And G3 is really known as to be kind of a powerhouse about 30 owned in licensed brands,
where they're manufacturing, designing, and distributing to lots of major retailers.
And I'm focused in on our retail business, which oversees our stores and e-commerce.
But I work for companies such as Tori Birch, Westown, Colhahn, just to name a few of companies
in my background, but all in the same type of role.
I love it.
And when I think networking, I think you, Susan, which is why today I've asked you to join,
and we're going to talk a little bit about networking.
So in your experience, how crucial is networking in today's professional landscape?
And what specific benefits have you witnessed or personally gained from nurturing professional connections?
Yeah, no, I mean, I think it's very important.
It's really critical for everyone.
And honestly, for myself, I'd never really thought about it as networking.
It's really just a bit about making genuine connections.
And I think for me, that that's just kind of come a little bit naturally about making,
you know, that I'm connecting with people that are really supporting me in every environment that I'm in.
But I think what I've found over time is that some of the opportunities that can come from
networking with people is really job opportunities and career advancement.
I definitely have myself recommended people for job opportunities or
recommended them to people that they should connect with if they're thinking about transitioning
and within a role.
I also, myself, have gotten roles and a lot of career coaching through networking and a lot of different environments.
I think there's learning opportunities also as well, you know, coming,
talking to people in different industries, really connecting with people across the horizon.
A lot of different perspectives also too that you can learn from that.
Some skill development, like you might not even think that you need some different skill development in soft,
or, you know, some kind of technical skills that you may need that will really come from
networking, some problem solving and collaboration.
It really helps you really hone in on, you know, things that may be happening in your existing role
that you definitely want to make sure that you can talk through with someone.
There's a person there.
There's some also access potentially to resources, things that you didn't maybe not know that were available
to you certain courses or online information that you can go through that actually would really
help you. So there's a lot of different ways that I think networking is really crucial and can help people.
But for me, it's been really about making those genuine connections just all along
so that you feel really natural in terms of connecting with people while you're on your journey.
Well said, I love that. I agree. I think I, myself, have also had a job come to me through somebody I had
networked with and had I not been friendly and engaging of them. I would have never taken a role.
So I think that's a really important point is you never know when you might need a connection
or connector to other things which can be interested in the future.
So when you're out networking, can you share some strategies or approaches that you have
personally when you're expanding your professional network and that helps you create meaningful
connections with those that you're meeting? Yeah, I mean, I honestly think for me, it's really,
again, as I mentioned, genuine relationships that I've been building over time. But even when I'm
meeting someone new specifically is really just about interest in the person, you know, kind of
their overall life. I mean, we are real people and we want to help real people. So I definitely feel
that making those genuine connections and relationships and keeping in contact with people in that way
really kind of starts the whole thing going, which I think especially after what we've been through
over the last several years, the human connection has really been kind of the best part
about coming out of this for everyone as well. I think there's also opportunities just in defining
your goals about connecting. So even if you're making these genuine connections, it's like, what is it
that you really want to hone in on? What are your goals? Is it career advancement? Is it a
vice? Is it mentorship? Different things like that that I think that will help you define what type of
networking that you may decide that you are looking for? Online presence in terms of LinkedIn, not everybody,
it's as familiar with posting on LinkedIn, different types of things. But there's a lot of people out there
who read people's LinkedIn posts. It doesn't even have to be specific to your industry. It could be an
insight that you came across some industry news where you can actually collaborate with people
within your industry to learn more about what's happening out there that I think that that's been
another really good way as well. The tried and true attending networking events for sure has been
one thing that people automatically go to, but I put that towards Trostback and not that that's not
important because it is, but I think it becomes a hyper environment for you to feel like you're
making connections in and some people feel uncomfortable in that way. So I like to try and make sure
that people do it on their own path about how they feel most comfortable, but I think networking
events also is a really incredible way to make meaningful connections with people. And then as I
mentioned slightly before is mentorship opportunity. There might be just someone within your
organization that you'd like to mentor or be a mentee for that, you know, for someone to really help
kind of elaborate and pull out some of the skill sets that you have. I'm really honing on maybe
where your career direction could be going, maybe an opportunity that you didn't think of for yourself
that could be a potential blind spot. So I really think there's a lot of ways to make meaningful
connections that's not just your tried and true networking events, but it's really kind of looking
at the landscape of what are you looking to do, where are you looking to go, and kind of honing in
on how you can start chipping away at that. And I found that people are very receptive when you do
go and talk to them and try and, you know, just just really be a little bit clear about your
objectives that I found people are very open to definitely leading you in the proper direction.
Yeah, well, very well said. I, I want to hone in on something you mentioned, LinkedIn.
I mean, LinkedIn is a must must must professionally, whether you're
love your job, looking for a job or engaging and keeping and maintaining relationships. I know I
personally have not always been a fan of LinkedIn and getting out there all the time, but
I'm reading articles to stay aware and abreast of what's going on in my industry and the things
I'm interested in. And so I find that sharing those articles, people are people don't have time to
go through all kinds of media and it looked at these. When you find something that's really, really great,
sharing it out with your network or other people is huge. I've had people that I don't know if halfway
across the world and I've shared a random article, they're like a third connection, right? But are
now like a first connection because they're like, hey, this is great. I didn't know this. So I think
you're, you're spot on with the LinkedIn, like it's a must connect with people, use it,
and, and build and maintain relationships off that tool. No, I agree. I honestly, that was the last
thing I think I would leverage in the past. And I've just started dabbling in it this year. And I
found it to be really rewarding more so than I thought. And I really continue to support people that
are out there putting out the content because it can feel scary, especially initially putting it
out there. But I really feel like people are looking for those types of connections. And I think that
it's really important to continue down that path either within your industry if you're
want to learn about something new and engaging in any of those conversations. I love that you said
that because I too have been dabbling in it. I've just increased my dabbling to like,
well, time dabbling in LinkedIn. I love it. So from your perspective, what challenges or misconceptions
do people often face when it comes to networking? And how can individuals overcome these hurdles
to establish genuine and mutual connections with people? So it's one thing to like, like a post,
and it's a whole nother thing to like have an actual conversation, right? No, absolutely. I feel like
there's both challenges and misconceptions I'll talk about the challenges initially. I think a lot of
people are a fear of judgment or being rejected and kind of thinking like if I put myself out there
either like face to face with people in person on LinkedIn that they may not be interested in my content
or I might be bothering this person. And I think that's something that we kind of have to put
that in the backseat for a little bit and just really be clear about your reasoning for reaching out
or also engaging with that person. I think that's one of the challenges most people find. For sure,
lack of time. We're all so busy, super, you know, all like everything going, you have children,
you have family, you have work, you know, so I think that that also is a hindrance for people,
but also just carving out time just like you do for meetings. Actually 20 minutes,
five minutes a day will actually really help you in terms of creating that time and you'll start
to feel energized and it'll increase and increase more over time. I definitely feel like potentially to,
you know, honing in on your communication skills, this actually will really help, but I think some
people feel like I may not have the right words, I don't know exactly what to say. I think just
starting with something very simple because if people have lack of time, it's great to get them to
hone in on a one, two, three sentence type reach out. So I think that's another thing not to necessarily
be afraid of or have a challenge for you and just follow up. Like, you know, some people reach out
and then there's a lack of follow up. That's just also another crucial point for people,
making sure that they could continue to stay connected. I think that you put it out there and then
you start to feel again, like, oh, I'm being rejected or judged by what I put out there, but just
following up and having another simple follow up, I think is really critical as a part of some of
the challenges that I've seen. From a misconception perspective, I think people think networking is just
only about getting something like I'm coming to you because I want something and there is sometimes
there is that transactional piece to it, but I also think that there is, it's a two way street and
that you may learn something from someone who's reaching out to you from a networking perspective
that you do not realize, which was coming. So I think there's a lot of beautiful benefits out of that.
So I think that people also should get that misconception out of their brain. And then
networking is for extraverts is another thing that I've come across, I technically am not an extra
to learn from that that you don't have to be an extravert to network. It can come from any place.
There's so many different avenues of information coming towards people with social media,
linked in as we mentioned before, day to day connections with people that I think there's you
people be able to bring something to the table, even if you feel a little timid about talking to the
person as an example. And I think also networking people think is just for in-person events or
attending events only. Like, oh, I'm only going to go to this specific, you know, retail event. We're
actually, that's not the case. You can network no matter where you are. And any point in the day in
terms of having good and concrete conversations with people, which I think is fantastic. And just
again, that networking is transactional because it's not. I don't think it really ever fully ends.
I think it continues to evolve over time with people. Even if your connectivity maybe takes a little
bit of a break, I think you can always kind of come back to that person at any point if you've made
that genuine connection. And you both have gotten some really valuable feedback or conversations out
of it. Anybody, people are open to kind of coming back to that at any time. So I think that those
those are some of the misconceptions that I've kind of come across. I love it. I remember the first
time I was networking in college as an engineering student, very introverted, very uncomfortable
walking into a room by myself. So I would be the one that would walk in a room and stand by myself.
And I would drink my drink and eat my food and just kind of stand there. And I think the older I got,
the more comfortable and maybe the right word is confident I got with walking in the room and
walking up to another person standing by himself, Hey, I'm Melissa. What's your name?
Have you been to this event before? No, my first time too. And just breaking the ice that way,
just with name or have you attended the event? Or are you part of this association? And just really
like you mentioned already genuinely get to understand and know people. And I think when you keep
an open mind and it's genuine people will meet you like you mentioned halfway there. And who knows?
I think of this one networking event I'm talking about one of the people that I had approached.
I still talk to them today even 20 years later after college. Exactly. Both absolutely nervous,
both engineers. You know, he was older, going to school older and I was younger, nervous.
And we're still best friends over 23 years later. Still talked in regularly. And that was two people
that were nervous to talk to each other at a networking event. So you never know how and what will
come up of it. No, exactly. I mean, we met at a networking event you and I and it was just like,
you know, I was also at the start of that like, oh, I'm going to go in and just start talking to people.
You don't never know how that goes in here we are today. Yep, it's so true. I think
I don't know who said it so I didn't make this up, but they but somebody much smarter than me came up with
this this quote, your net work is your net worth. So if you want to be better in anything whatever,
whether it's speaking or your business or you want to be a better family person, it is important to
find those people that have what you want and network with them and say, hey, I'm thinking about doing
X, right? I'm kind of nervous. Can you shed any information? I think most times when people have
approached me regularly, hey, can you help me with this? I am always open to giving people time.
If not at that moment, scheduling it down the way. So I think asking too is another important part of
working? No, absolutely asking the question very critical part. So I kind of gave a little example.
So from your perspective, is there any when you're networking anything that's come up unexpected or
like a significant career advancement or a partnership or any opportunities that have come up for
you or a story you can share with our listeners that maybe that happened to you? Yeah, I mean, there's
like countless. Some I'm going to talk about right now, I really relate it to my career growth
over time. One was when I was very young, junior, I was interviewing for a role that I didn't get,
actually, I mean, but they really liked me. They wanted to place me within the organization. They
thought I'd be a real value ad, but it wasn't the right role. And as disappointed as I was, I was
just kind of like, okay, well, it didn't work out. And when you're younger like that, you may not
fully really think through what that could happen, that what that could be really in the long run.
Turns out that this recruiter really remembered me the whole time that I after I interviewed and
came back to me for a role that was a perfect fit for me a year later. And was like, I've had you in
mind this whole time for a role that I think would be really beneficial for you. And I actually really
launched my career into exactly what I'm doing right now. And if I didn't have that really robust
conversation with him, it worked field, you know, disappointed that I didn't get the role and not
want to talk to this particular company anymore, it could have sent me in a completely different path.
So I think I view these things as when the door opens, kind of moving forward from a networking
perspective that that does really help you. And another perspective too, same with another boss
that I had who I've now worked for at three different companies that she has been very valuable in
not only my career growth, but really in coaching and development, which sometimes come, you know,
as a piece that comes along with the networking that does really help people excel in their career
in a very different way. I've definitely give her a lot of thanks for the help that she's been to
me. And she's still a confident all-on-word friends now. And that's another beautiful part that comes
apart of networking and meeting people that you don't really expect kind of what's coming, but she now
is a friend and a trusted partner for me that I can go to for a lot of different things. I think
there's a lot of different value along with advice that you may meet with someone you're like,
I've been thinking about X and they come back to you, like, hey, here's two people that you can actually
talk to when you think that they've they're done with the conversation they've moved on. I mean, people
are people really do want to help you. And they're thinking about you after the fact. I don't think
anyone really wants to, you know, have a conversation with you where there may be an ask or a genuine
connection and conversation and not come back to you with something. So I think that people really
need to remember that. And also, again, just following up with them, great conversation, even if it's
not really with anything at the very end of it in terms of just making sure to know that that
you value their time and their conversation. I love it one point you made. So the door was opened
for you and you walked through it. I think it's one thing to just hear the opportunity and it's a
nest next kind of piece of it as the walk through the door. It's both the opportunity. Whether it's
right or wrong, we don't know now, right? So sometimes opportunities present themselves, what do they
say when the students ready, the teacher will appear? Random opportunities present themselves or
people come into your life for a reason for a purpose. And it's up to us to make the connection. And
even ask people sometimes, is there anything I can help you with? Is there anything you're looking for
in your life right now? And you know what they're going to do? 90% of the time, I would say, they're
going to say back to you, how can I help you? Yeah. Well, when you give first, you'll find that it's
reciprocated, I think, as well when networking. No, I absolutely agree. And I think one other thing
that people don't realize is that your connection goes on, meaning you've had a great conversation
with someone. They are going to not forget you. They're probably actually going to pass you on
to someone else or let me tell you this so it keeps going. Another thing that I like to do is also
bring my connections together. Like, let's just all meet up. We're in the same industry. You guys
don't know each other from this company or this company, but I think we all have the same types of
opportunities ahead of us. Let's just get together. So I also am not afraid to mix my network
and my connections up. I think that that actually was really important for everyone's learning
along the way. And I actually really enjoy seeing the fruits of that kind of come through on the other side.
Oh, I love it. Paying it forward. I love it. I love it. Now one kind of similar question, what
valuable lessons have impacted your life from networking as far as building these relationships
and season the opportunity? So you mentioned that your job applying, opening the door, walking through.
Is there any other maybe experiences or lessons you maybe thought one way negative,
positively or negatively? I'll leave it open ended and they turn into something better. Maybe
maybe somebody crushed you in a weird way, like, oh, wow, that's awkward. So I guess my question is,
that's a long-winded question. Is there any key lessons that you can share with our listeners?
When we top take away from networking from your perspective?
As I think is when my common thread through is that relationships really do matter.
Professional, personal, the connectivity with people. I think sometimes when you're talking to
people, we live in a busy world. You make people feel like they're disengaged, they're not listening,
they're not getting your full story. When matter, in fact, they probably actually really are. So not
to let that discourage you. I think we get discouraged because we kind of live in our own brains,
our own minds about what we think is right for ourselves, but I think there's things unfolding for you
that you may not yet see. And so I think always about kind of time and truth, our friends,
meaning that like the time is going to come where you're supposed to be and what you're supposed to
do, we're going to come together. And I think that you have to just really be encouraged by that
you're going to be on that path. So stay on the path, continue the authenticity that you're having
in your conversations, utilize your professional development, your network, LinkedIn, your college
network as well as some places for you to continue to leverage people in any opportunity that you may have.
And the continuous follow-up and I'm going to call it maintenance, which is not really maintenance,
but just on the relationships that you currently do have. So I think there's so many beautiful avenues
to the networking piece that I don't think everyone really realizes until you're actually fully
on the path forward with it. Yeah. And forges in the follow-up too, like that connection may not
respond, engage, reply at that moment. It doesn't mean they are disengaged, they're not interest,
people get busy, they open emails accidentally, they open messages accidentally, they mean detects,
like I know I'm guilty of this all the time, I mean to send something out and that someone calls me
and I go into my draft and I forget to go back and send it. So I think to your point, following up
and you know, don't just do it one time and give up, if it's something you really really want,
maybe it's a job, maybe it's help with whatever you're going after, don't just give up after one
message. I would say follow up and say, you know, hey Susan, I sent you a message, last
week was great to meet you at the networking event, I love the calendar some time to explore XYZ and
here's why, and give them, make sure they know why you're connecting with them. Absolutely.
You met them last week at XYZ and they mentioned something that was particularly interesting and
would like to explore it further with them. So I think being clear like you mentioned earlier with
what your intentions are, Jenny and me and how you're going to support them as well. Yeah, consistency is
key, like keeping these, you know, like even if you simple it down to a one, two, three, these are the
three steps that I'm going to do with follow up being one of the steps, the connections being one
and the, you know, all of that connected, I think that that really makes a huge difference to
just simplify it for yourself, but to also, you know, make sure that you're saying consistent in
your connection with the existing people that you've been connecting within your network or even
new people as you come along down the path. Yeah, and I think I also think like a board of directors,
you know, when you're out networking, maybe you're, we're coming to the end of the year, we're getting
close, taxes are upon us, maybe you need a new CPA and you're out at a networking event and
when you're talking to people, hey, you know, do you know any good CPAs in the area? I think keep
them your board of directors and things you need, not just professionally, but personally in your life is
key and asking people for referrals as well when networking, whatever you're looking for, right? Referrals
for a doctor or, you know, babysitter, whatever things you're looking at. You do that in your personal life.
I need a dry cleaner, I need a, you know, a seamstress, I need, you know, all these different things,
you know, what's the best grocery store to go to? Those also translate into these type of
professional development opportunities. Yes, well said. So in closing up any final thoughts or any
snippets you want to share that we haven't covered so far on our podcast today? Yeah, I just want
to say that it is a, it's a great journey. Like I've been on this path of networking, which I didn't
realize if that's what I was doing, but because I just like social connection and meeting people,
but it's been such a great reward back to me of connecting people or being connected or pushed in
the right direction that I'm so thankful for. And I feel like if I stayed in my introvert self and not
really wanted to push myself out there, that I would not be benefiting in the way that I am right now,
and not just benefiting for myself, but benefiting to see others in the connection. So it's really full
circle for me and it's been an incredible, incredible journey for me and I encourage anyone to continue
to do so for themselves. Do the things we fear, right? We're going into the new year, new rules, new goals,
so maybe adding network to one of your to-do's next year, one networking event is key.
I want to thank you so much for being here today. I adore you. I love you. I'm so glad to call you my
friend and thank you. I'm so feel the same. So if you could just share with the listeners, if they,
how are they connected with you? If somebody is something resonating with what you said,
how can people connect with you best? Yeah, I think the best way to connect is via LinkedIn, Susan
Elstoklosa, STOK, LOSA, as you see on my podcast here below that you've best way to connect with me,
as well. Thank you so much, Susan. I appreciate you being here and that's it for today on the
Executive Camera podcast. You've been listening to the Executive Connect podcast. If you have questions
or ideas on how to bring leadership to your next level, email us at ExecutiveConnectPodcast@gmail.com.
And don't forget to subscribe so you can catch every new episode. Until next time.