“Land Ho”: On the Power of a Quiet Network
Lessons from a technical mind crossing into business territory
After seven long months sailing uncharted waters, I’m finally shouting “Land Ho!” There it is — solid ground with a bustling port straight ahead.
Just a few weeks ago, I accepted an offer from a Fortune 100 firm as an AI Advisor, and honestly, I couldn’t be happier. This role puts me closer to where the AI magic happens. My inner child, the one who still gets excited about the potential of smart systems and elegant code, is grinning ear to ear.
And I didn’t get here alone.
This job wouldn’t have happened without my network.
The Past Seven Months
To say the last seven months were “interesting” is like calling a hurricane a light breeze. I slashed expenses, chased every lead until it hit a wall, and held the line as long as I could. Being laid off was a blow, but also a blessing. It forced me to slow down and take stock of my situation. I asked questions I hadn’t made space for: What do I want to build? Who do I want to work with? Where can I make the most impact?
I could have landed something faster if I had played it safe, but this time, I made a different call. Maybe it was hubris. Maybe it was clarity. Maybe just a bit of “screw it, I’ve got nothing left to lose.” I started disqualifying opportunities instead of chasing them. I passed on roles that didn’t feel right and zeroed in on companies I admired — places building something real, something worth being a part of.
My job search wasn’t a mass application blitz. It was a targeted effort, powered by a trusted network I had quietly built over the years. Former colleagues, partners, and peers helped open doors that would have otherwise remained shut. And I’m deeply grateful.
Since 2007, my network has shown up for me again and again. The last seven jobs I’ve had have all come through referrals or warm intros. Every. Single. One.
That doesn’t happen by accident.
Building a Strong Network (Quietly)
Here’s what I’ve learned: you don’t need to build a massive following or post every day on LinkedIn to create a powerful network. You just need to show up, deliver value, and stay in touch.
People remember how you made them feel. They remember when you helped without asking for anything in return. They remember when you did good work.
And when the time comes, they’re willing to return the favor.
That’s how I got here — not because I was loud, but because I was consistent, caring, and helpful.
Mind you, building a strong network takes time. It requires long-term care and thoughtful effort, but here are a few practical things that made a difference in my professional journey.
Lead with Curiosity, Not Credentials
You already have the technical chops. What opens doors now is curiosity. Ask people how they broke into sales or how they handled technical objections. People are more responsive when they sense genuine interest, not a self-promotional pitch. It also gives you a quick education in how others made the leap and where you might fit.
Show Up Where Business Conversations Happen
Engineers often hang out with other engineers. That’s fine, but if you want to move toward the business side, start showing up in different rooms. Join LinkedIn groups focused on sales engineering. Attend meetups where product managers and solution architects hang out. Go to webinars where the talk is less about syntax and more about strategy. Proximity matters.
Turn LinkedIn into a Quiet Signal
You don’t need to become a personal brand machine. Just optimize your LinkedIn profile to reflect where you’re going, not just where you’ve been. Rewrite your headline to show your interest in business impact or sales engineering. Share the occasional insight from your technical work that ties into a business outcome. People notice.
Ask for Informational Calls, Not Opportunities
Reaching out cold is easier when the ask is simple. A 15-minute chat to learn more about someone’s role or transition path is low-pressure and surprisingly effective. Make it about learning, not fishing for jobs. The insight you get is valuable, and if there’s an opportunity down the line, you’re already on their radar.
Be the Bridge in Every Conversation
Your technical background is a strength, not baggage. In every conversation, strive to translate complexity into clarity. Whether you’re talking to a VP of sales or a client-side CTO, make it easy for them to understand how you think. The more you position yourself as someone who connects tech to outcomes, the faster your network grows in the direction you want.
TL;dr
Building your professional network outside of your technical sphere can be the difference between success and failure in chaotic times. Be curious, take an interest in people and what they do, and they will take an interest in you.
Thank you for reading and supporting my humble newsletter 🙏.
You can also hit the like ❤️ button at the bottom of this email to support me or share it with a friend. It helps me a ton!