MHN Executive Council: Networking Tips From the Pros (Part 1)
Sometimes there's nothing more terrifying than being in a room where you don't know anyone. Learn to make meaningful connections with ease!
Networking can be daunting, even for people who have been in the industry for many years. This month, the MHN Executive Council shares some networking tips they wished they learned earlier in their careers and suggestions for people looking to get out there.
Make Friends
I quickly learned that the best networking happens when you relax, have fun and look for ways to help others succeed. That’s how you develop real professional friendships.
At The REMM Group, our strongest industry relationships have grown through years of honest conversations, shared experiences and mutual support. A strong network is not a contact list. It is a community of people with shared values who want to work with you, trust your judgment and are willing to pick up the phone when it matters. —Susan McPeak, Corporate Ambassador, The REMM Group
Create a Community
One networking lesson I wish I’d learned earlier is that the strongest professional relationships are built long before you need something. Early in my career, I made it a point to attend events through my local apartment association, and those opportunities introduced me to mentors, peers and industry leaders who helped shape my career. Those connections led to new perspectives, career opportunities and a network of people I could learn from and lean on over the years. Looking back, I wish I had realized even sooner that networking isn’t just about exchanging business cards. It’s about consistently showing up, staying engaged and building genuine relationships. When you approach networking with curiosity and a long-term mindset, it becomes less about transactions and more about creating a trusted community that supports your growth throughout your career. —Stephanie Anderson, Senior Director, Grace Hill
Be Open
The one networking lesson I wish I learned earlier was not to look for something so specific. In our business, networking should be broader than most people think. Just because someone’s not in your specific field or industry doesn’t mean there’s not an opportunity to connect or that you can’t mutually benefit one another. Casting a wider net helps you meet more people, which naturally leads to building more long-term relationships. —Harrison Pinkus, Managing Director, Interra Realty
Stay Curious
People matter more than their titles.
Early in my career, I thought networking meant getting in front of executives. I’ve since learned that in multifamily, every relationship matters. Today’s property manager could be tomorrow’s regional vice president, client or business partner.
Approach every conversation with genuine curiosity rather than focusing on what you can gain. Roles change, but your reputation doesn’t. Treat everyone with respect, because integrity and authenticity are what people remember—and what build lasting relationships. —Sandy Jack, Vice President of Strategic Relations, Multifamily at Vingcard/Nomadix
Interested in joining the MHN Executive Council and sharing your insights? Email Jessica Fiur.
