The Case for Building a Professional Ecosystem (Not Just a “Network”)
You don’t need more LinkedIn connections. You need real support.
We all know that we’re supposed to be networking.
It’s what everyone says to do, especially when you’re in a job search, thinking about a pivot, or trying to grow your career.
But let’s be honest: most traditional networking advice is outdated, transactional, vague and awkward.
The idea of sending cold DMs, scheduling coffee chats with strangers, and trying to “be seen” can feel exhausting and fake, especially for mission-driven professionals who want to build something real and sustainable.
If you’ve been trying to do everything right but still feel disconnected, it might be time for a different approach.
You don’t need a bigger network. You need a professional ecosystem.
What is a professional ecosystem?
A professional ecosystem is our specific approach to professional networking that encourages people to collect and maintain cultivate and tend to people, relationships, spaces, and rhythms for its own sake, rather than “for your career.”
It is made up of:
People you know well and people you know only know in a limited capacity
Spaces (groups, communities, institutions, etc) that encourage conversation, connection, and lifelong learning
Rhythms and practices that keep you connected, even when you’re not looking for anything
Your ecosystem grows with you.
It does not require constant small talk (but it might require some!) or extensive personal branding.
It does redefine networking and visibility in a flexible way that allows you to operate with greater clarity and integrity.
Why this matters right now
In this job market, it's not just about who you know.
It's about who knows you, what you bring to the table, and whether you have the support to keep going when things get hard.
The old way of networking assumes you should always be chasing opportunities.
But a professional ecosystem creates space for opportunities to find you when you are consistently showing up, staying engaged and connecting, and tending to relationships rooted in shared values, interests and goals.
Signs your ecosystem is already working
You might already be building a professional ecosystem without even realizing it.
Some clues:
You have a small but trusted handful of people you reach out to when you're making a decision or find yourself at a crossroads
You belong to groups or spaces where you can ask honest questions about work and receive candid feedback
You have access to resources that help you reflect, regroup, and refocus when needed
This is how career growth becomes less lonely and more sustainable.
How to build your own ecosystem
Start with curiosity, not goals
Instead of asking for job referrals right off the bat, consider asking deeper questions.
Get curious about how other people's experience and goals.
Approach your conversations with a genuine interest in learning.
Prioritize long term connection over short term transactions.
Find your people
Look for aligned communities, not just industry-specific groups, but spaces where you can be your full self.
This could include online programs, mentorship groups, alumni networks, or niche Slack/LinkedIn groups.
Engage consistently, not constantly
You don’t have to show up every day to stay connected. A thoughtful check-in or a quick comment on someone’s post can go a long way.
The key is to stay in relationship with people and communities, even when you are not actively job searching or looking for new business!
For example, if someone has supported you this year or if there’s someone you’d like to connect with next year, consider sending a brief “Happy Holidays” message.
No ask required. Simply send a brief message wishing them well, perhaps thanking them for their time, and letting them know you’re thinking of them.
(I’ve recommended this “Happy Holidays” example for 10+ years which means I am now the very happy recipient of many LinkedIn messages, holiday cards, and emails!)
Invest in mutual support
Give as much as you receive.
Job seekers often assume they don’t have anything to offer if they are also looking. That’s just not true!
Share job postings, offer referrals, celebrate other people’s wins.
Building an ecosystem is not just about getting ahead. It's about making sure you’re not growing in isolation.
Let your needs evolve
Your ecosystem will shift as your goals and circumstances shift.
Maybe one season is about building confidence and reaching out or joining groups.
Another might be about visibility or thought leadership.
Keep adjusting who and what you surround yourself with so it stays helpful and fruitful.
This is not just about jobs. It’s about sustainability.
When you stop treating networking like a transaction and start treating it like a long-term relationship with your career, everything changes.
You stop feeling like you’re “bothering” people. You start feeling resourced.
In a time when layoffs, burnout, and instability are all too common, this kind of support is not optional.
It’s essential.
And it’s exactly what we’re creating through our Work Wonders Community, as well as our podcast, Careers at the End of the World.
Isolation is a job search killer. The more connected and visible you are, the better.
But being connected and visible doesn’t have to feel bad or transactional.
The better the process feels, the more likely you are to do it.
I hope this reframe offers new ways to approach “networking” that are in better alignment with your values.