More than 90% of professionals I talk to havenโt been intentionally nurturing their network. Not because theyโre lazy or unaware โ but because theyโve been heads down doing the work.
Totally normal in "cushy times" when landing a job is easy. But in an uncertain market (hello 2026), two questions decide your trajectory:
1. How fast can you reactivate your network?
2. How adaptable are you, without chasing every shiny skill?
The 5x5x5 Network Tune-Up (30 minutes/week, takes more the first few times)
5๏ธโฃ โ๐ตโโ๐ฎโโ๐ณโโ๐ฌโโ๐ธโ Check in with 5 past colleagues, managers or people that you met at a webinar. Make it about them: a win, a question, or a resource.
5๏ธโฃ โ๐ธโโ๐ฎโโ๐ฌโโ๐ณโโ๐ฆโโ๐ฑโโ๐ธโ Comment thoughtfully on 5 peopleโs posts your "future self" wants to work with. Add insight, not โgreat post.โ
5๏ธโฃ โ๐ธโโ๐ชโโ๐ชโโ๐ฉโโ๐ธโ Send 5 DMs to dormant contacts: โSaw X at [company/newsletter]. Thought of youโcurious what youโre seeing.โ No ask.
Do that weekly for a month and your opportunities compoundโintros, intel, options. Trends change. Relationships endure.