In partnership with

"Your future moves at the speed of your relationships."

Today’s Ladder:

Your Network Is Your Future

Picture this: 

Two people with similar skills and work ethic…

• One keeps their head down, hoping their work speaks for itself. 

• The other builds real relationships, shares ideas, and supports others. 

Guess who gets the promotion, the raise, or the next opportunity? 

It’s almost always the second.

Think of your network as a bridge.

Each connection is a plank that carries you closer to your next opportunity. 

Without those planks, the gap feels impossible to cross. 

With them, you don’t just walk… you can sprint. 

The reality is, your future isn’t built in isolation. 

It’s built through people.

Doors Open Through People

Here’s how:

Step 1: Start Small and Genuine
Networking isn’t about collecting business cards. It’s about real conversations.

Example: Instead of “networking” at a big event, invite a colleague for coffee. Ask about their projects, their challenges, or their career path. Authentic curiosity opens doors.

Step 2: Give Before You Ask
People remember those who add value.

Example: Share a helpful article, introduce someone to a contact, or congratulate a peer on their win. These small acts of generosity build trust, making people more likely to support you when it counts.

Step 3: Stay Consistent
A strong network isn’t built overnight. It grows with steady care.

Example: Set a reminder to check in with three people a month. A quick message - “Thinking of you, how’s that project going?” - keeps connections alive without feeling forced.

Takeaway:

Connections Create Careers

I can still picture it.

Fluorescent lights buzzing above.
Stacks of reports piled high on my desk.
Me, hunched over, buried in projects and reports.

Across the hall, my coworker was laughing with our VP, coffee in hand.

She wasn’t buried in spreadsheets.
She was building relationships.

A few months later, she was promoted.

Meanwhile, I was still grinding quietly in my office.
That stung. But it also woke me up.

I realized something no one teaches you in school:

Careers don’t grow just by effort.

They grow by visibility, relationships, and presence.

Hard work matters. But that isn't the whole story.

That’s why I believe in Career Commandment #9:

Your network is your future.

If you’ve ever felt invisible despite your effort, this is for you - download the rest of The 10 Career Commandments here.

ICYMI: Links to recent issues

💵 Scared to Negotiate Your Salary? Here’s How to Get What You Deserve

📣 Mastering Feedback: The Do’s and Don'ts Every Leader Must Know

💱 Think You Know Your Leadership Style? Your personality might say otherwise.

To your success,

Dr. Lex ✍️

Founder, Career Ladder | Career MBA

Big investors are buying this “unlisted” stock

When the founder who sold his last company to Zillow for $120M starts a new venture, people notice. That’s why the same VCs who backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay also invested in Pacaso.

Disrupting the real estate industry once again, Pacaso’s streamlined platform offers co-ownership of premier properties, revamping the $1.3T vacation home market.

And it works. By handing keys to 2,000+ happy homeowners, Pacaso has already made $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history.

Now, after 41% YoY gross profit growth last year alone, they recently reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Invest for $2.90/Share

_{Paid advertisement for Pacaso’s Regulation A offering. Read the offering circular at invest.pacaso.com. Reserving a ticker symbol is not a guarantee that the company will go public. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.}