Discover How to Network Up

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. I loved her energy.

But it highlighted a common disconnect that happens when early-career talent meets executive leadership.

It is a translation issue.

• What you mean: "I admire you, I want to be in your orbit, and I’m willing to work."

• What the CEO hears: "Can you pause your day, analyze your business, find a task for me, and oversee it?"

  
  

Leaders are often drowning in decisions. So, even a well-meaning offer to help can feel like one more decision they have to manage.

The Fix? Be Specific, not Abstract.

If you want to get on a leader's radar, don't ask for work. Just do the work.

• Instead of: "How can I help?"

• Try: "I saw your recent post about “X”. I found this article that supports your point and thought you’d love it."

• Try: "I shared your last video with my network because the message on “X” was exactly what we needed."

  
  

To the young professionals: Your enthusiasm is a gift. Don't lose it. Just aim it with precision. When you move from General Support to Specific Value, you become impossible to ignore.