Whether you’re getting a job, starting a career, or just getting through each week, networking is needed, and likewise, the ability to connect with those in our network is critical. The distinction is obvious. You know many people professionally and personally, but you are connected to only a fraction of those you know.

Networking is interacting with others to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career. It is an activity that can be acted upon with great or little success.

The best goal of networking is to develop contacts and connections and not just to gain value but to add value to the network. Effective networking requires interpersonal skills, which are considered soft skills essential to building and maintaining positive relationships. Networking uses fundamental soft skills such as good communication, interpersonal skills, positive thinking, and empathy.

Greedy people trigger feelings of not being enough for everyone. Generosity is triggered by focusing outward and requires seeing what others need and freely giving without expecting anything in return. Being generous is contagious and makes us feel good; we are better at making those around us feel good.