Your Network is Your Net Worth

Hey, we are Ramón Rodrigáñez and Andrea Marino, Co-Founders at Nova, the Global Top Talent Network.

Welcome to Talent First, our newsletter where those who believe that talent is the most important resource in the economy get together.

Every week we cover a new topic related to attracting, hiring, developing, and retaining talent, as well as the learnings from our journey building Nova.

Summary:

• In this issue, we cover some important concepts about successful networking. We thought that as you start the new year filled with new goals and objectives, this article can help you remember why networking is important and more importantly how you can nurture your network in a genuine way, the Nova way.

Networking isn’t about collecting contacts

“Your network is your net worth.” This phrase has become a cliché, but like many clichés, it holds a lot of truth. This sentence was the title of one of our latest pitch decks as it really simplifies an important life truth.

Success in any career is rarely a solo journey. The people you surround yourself with, mentors, peers, and colleagues, can make the difference between stagnant growth and exponential success.

But here's the catch: It's not about who you know. It's about who knows you, trusts you, and wants to help you succeed.

What does this mean in practice?

• Focus on quality, not quantity. Your goal isn’t to collect thousands of LinkedIn connections but to build relationships that are meaningful, mutual, and long-lasting.
• Be intentional with your relationships. Ask yourself: Who are the people I want to connect with, and how can I add value to them?

💡 Practical Tip:

Create a relationship action plan. Make a list of 10 people you want to build stronger connections with this year. Think about how you can help them first before asking for anything in return.

How do we do it at Nova?

At Nova, we have tried to build over the years a community where you don’t just pile up connections but life-changing connections. A key differentiator today is that any new relationship on the Nova app starts from a disclosed intention, with no hidden objectives. To reinforce the importance of each connection we have also redacted our first code of conduct which all our members accept as they join the network and each time they send a connection request. If you are curious you can read our code of conduct here.

On top of the intentionality, we also have forced ourselves to limit the new connections to 5/month. While initially counterintuitive for both our members and ourselves, given the habit of requesting multiple connections per day, we believe it will foster a more thoughtful and transparent community over the years ahead.

Give First. Always.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when networking is approaching it with a “What can I get?” mindset. Instead, shift to “What can I give?”

Successful networkers know that generosity is the best currency. Whether it's offering advice, making introductions, or sharing valuable resources, when you help others succeed, you naturally create opportunities for yourself.

Real-life example:

Imagine you're reaching out to someone you admire. Instead of asking them for a coffee meeting or advice, start by supporting them:

• Share their work on LinkedIn.
• Write a thoughtful comment on one of their posts.
• Offer to introduce them to someone in your network.

💡 Practical Tip:

Schedule time each week to give back to your network. Whether it’s sending someone an article they might find useful or making an introduction, these small gestures build goodwill.

How do we do it at Nova?

• At Nova, we organize more than 200 events worldwide, online and offline, every year. Most of our icebreakers are based on guidelines and principles that encourage people to open up about what they can contribute or what they are struggling with.

• On Gravity, our weekly match-making tool that pairs members for 1-to-1 online video calls in the early days, our automated emails suggested 20 questions to ask each other to dive deeper beyond just the usual conversation where people usually list their journey and often accomplishments. When launching the feature fully in-app we had no way to keep listing those questions but we still encourage members to start the conversation with a “how can I help” mindset.

The power of weak ties

One of the most surprising insights about networking is the power of weak ties — those acquaintances you don’t interact with daily.

According to research, life-changing opportunities often come from the people you know casually, not your closest friends. Why? Because weak ties connect you to new circles and fresh perspectives.

Think about it:

• A job opportunity from a former colleague you haven’t spoken to in years.
• An investor was introduced to you by a friend-of-a-friend.
• A chance encounter at a networking event that leads to a major collaboration.

💡 Practical Tip:

Reconnect with five weak ties this month. Use Nova, or Linkedin, to message former colleagues, classmates, or people you’ve met at events. Start the conversation by offering something of value: “I saw this article and thought of you” or “I’d love to hear how things are going in your world.”

How do we do it at Nova?

The connections our members build in Nova are stored in their “CRM” with a small tag reminding them about how the connection was formed. Whether it was a Gravity or via the Directory, they can more easily cultivate those weak ties by recollecting information. On top of that, the “Member Discovery” feature, allows members to expand their peripheral network thanks to curated suggestions based on a matching algorithm score. We have sometimes referred to this as the “Tinder for professionals” referring to the fact that a connection is established and created only when interest is expressed by both parties.

Networking pays in the long run

A final point and one of the most underrated is that networking has a long-term impact. Many professionals get caught in the trap of viewing networking as a transactional, short-term activity: “Who can help me right now?” But the truth is the most meaningful connections—and the biggest opportunities—often reveal themselves years after you’ve planted the initial seed. Networking isn’t just about immediate ROI. It’s about building trust and goodwill that can grow and compound over time. The beauty of it? Those relationships often end up surprising you in the best possible way just like they have for us at Nova.

How do we do it at Nova?

At Nova, we’ve witnessed this firsthand through our mentoring program, which has been running for several years now. Mentoring, at its core, is about investing in someone else’s growth with no expectation of immediate return. But what we’ve seen is that these investments often come back in unexpected and transformative ways.

We've had mentors who, years after guiding a mentee, hired that same mentee for a key role. Sometimes, mentees have even recommended their mentors for executive roles in their own companies. Beyond hiring, these relationships often lead to partnerships, business opportunities, and collaborations that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

The common thread? Planting seeds today creates a stronger talent ecosystem tomorrow. It’s a slow-burn process, but one that pays off in unexpected ways. People remember those who helped them along the way, and when the time comes, they’re more likely to open doors, make introductions, or collaborate on new ventures.

As you can see, networking offers a variety of approaches, and there's no one-size-fits-all formula. Choose a method that feels natural and aligns with you. The key is to be authentic and genuine, building connections with sincerity and trust.

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