Why 90% of People Fail at Networking (The “More Contacts = More Success” Lie)

Negotiate Anything

American Negotiation Institute

Business, Education, Self-improvement

4.7 • 748 Ratings

🗓️ 27 March 2026

⏱️ 78 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What if the reason you’re being overlooked isn’t your performance — but your relationships? In this masterclass episode, we unpack the uncomfortable truth most high achievers avoid: doing great work isn’t enough. If you’ve ever watched less qualified colleagues rise faster, felt invisible in meetings, or wondered why your career isn’t matching your effort, this conversation will hit home. Featuring insights from relational intelligence expert Ronen Olshansky and leadership veteran Mark Miller, this episode challenges everything you thought you knew about networking, influence, and leadership. You’ll discover why “networking” feels fake (and how to fix it), how small acts of generosity can transform your career trajectory, and the mindset shifts that turn relationships into your greatest competitive advantage. We go beyond surface-level tactics and dive into: The hidden reason top performers get passed over — and how to change it How to build authentic, strategic relationships without feeling transactional Why asking for help is actually a powerful act of leadership The concept of “co-elevation” and how to create a network that actively lifts you The leadership habits that multiply your influence — both in conversations and in life Whether you’re a heads-down operator ready to step into leadership, or a seasoned professional looking to deepen your impact, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap to stop being overlooked — and start being remembered. Because success isn’t just about what you do. It’s about who you bring with you — and who’s willing to speak your name when you’re not in the room.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Granola, Brevo, Shopify, Blinkist, Strawberry.me, and Fabric
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0:57.5	prices subject to underwriting and health questions.
0:59.8	Welcome to this masterclass edition of Negotiate Anything.
1:02.9	With over 1,700 episodes featuring some of the world's brightest minds,
1:07.4	we've carefully curated a couple of powerful conversations for you. What makes this
1:12.4	so special is that you'll hear how different experts from different industries approach the same
1:17.2	challenge in their own unique ways. Our goal is to give you multiple perspectives so you can
1:23.0	build your own unique style. Success doesn't look the same for everyone, and in this masterclass,
1:28.7	you'll see exactly why. Let's dive in.
1:35.0	What if every promotion you've ever been passed over for went to someone who is simply better
1:40.0	at building allies? You've been there, The meeting where your brilliant idea gets ignored. The
1:45.3	promotion went to someone less qualified but more connected. Watching colleagues with half your
1:50.0	experience become the go-to leaders while you stay heads down and invisible. Meet Ronan
1:56.0	Olshansky, one of the world's leading experts in relational intelligence and CEO of connected success.
2:02.8	After early success on Wall Street and scaling his company cross-campus into LA's premier co-working
2:08.4	network with seven locations and over 3,000 members, Ronan discovered the secret that separates
	...

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