How to Network Up Earlier In Your Career

A cheat code for anyone early in their career trying to network “up.”

I recently met a brilliant, high-energy young professional. She was eager, polite, and clearly ambitious. At the end of our chat, she asked me, "How can I support you, Queen? I want to help."

It was such a genuine offer, and I loved her energy. It also showed me a disconnect I see often when early-career talent meets executive leadership.

When she asked how she could help, I believe she meant, "I admire you, I want to be in your orbit, and I'm willing to work." What a busy leader often hears is, "Can you pause your day, analyze your business, find a task for me, and oversee it?" Leaders are making decisions all day, so even a well-meaning offer can feel like one more decision to manage.

In the moment, I said nothing. That closed the door on next steps, when the conversation could have opened one.

If you're early in your career and want to get on a leader's radar, my advice is to be specific, because a specific offer gives the leader something to say yes to. For example, you might say, "I saw your recent post about X. I found this article that supports your point and thought you'd love it." You might say, "I shared your last video with my network because the message on X was exactly what we needed."

Both of those show that you've paid attention to the leader's work, and neither asks them to do anything. The help has already happened by the time they hear about it.

It also helps to match a leader's tone when you first meet. Terms of endearment are a lovely way to show admiration among people who know each other. With a leader you've just met, a little more formality gives the relationship room to grow into that closeness.

To the young professionals reading this, your enthusiasm is a gift, and I hope you keep it. The more specific you are about the value you bring, the easier you are to remember. Who is a leader you admire, and what is one specific thing you could share with them this week?