Network Across: Stop Reaching Up & Build with the People Next to You
Now usually my blogs come on Monday & Wednesday, but when I saw this tweet from my mutual, Alex, I had to get in the booth and give y’all a special post.
This might be a hard truth for some of y’all, but y’all ain’t been networking across like Issa told us. Y’all are too busy chasing people who are already at the top, hoping they’ll pull you up, while the real opportunities are right next to you.
She said it best: “I think the misconception is you’re supposed to network up, but it’s really about networking across. Who’s next to you? Who’s struggling? Who’s in the trenches with you?”
And trust me, I’ve lived it. A lot of the best opportunities I’ve ever received didn’t come from someone who was miles ahead of me—they came from people who were on the same level as me. We were in the same circles, sharing the same grind, and continuously pulling each other up the ladder. That’s how you build—by investing in the relationships you have right now.
The problem is, we’ve been conditioned to believe that success comes from getting the attention of people already sitting at the top. We get so caught up in trying to impress someone who’s already made it that we miss the fact that the people in our immediate network are the ones who will help us rise. Instead of breaking your back for a nod from the gatekeepers, you should be building with the people standing next to you.
And I get it—the "Know Your Worth" movement has us all feeling empowered, and rightfully so. We deserve to be compensated and treated with respect for the work we put in. But that mentality has a flip side. It’s starting to create a wall between us, where every interaction feels like it has to come with a price tag. People are holding out, waiting for someone with a bigger name or bigger budget to bring them in, and in the process, they’re overlooking the folks who are just as talented, hungry, and ready to grind right next to them.
Let me be clear: there’s no need to reach up and plead for a chance when you have a whole community of people who are also trying to get somewhere. Collaborate with them. Build something together. That’s how you grow—and that’s how I’ve grown. Time and time again, it’s been the people in my immediate network who’ve referred me, recommended me, or worked with me to create something bigger than either of us could’ve done alone.
Networking across is powerful, but it only works if we stop chasing validation from those who have already made it and start valuing the people on our level. Because here’s the truth: nobody’s coming to save you. The people who understand your hustle because they’re living it too? Those are the ones who are going to rise with you.
So, how do we get back to building with each other?
Focus on who’s around you: You don’t need to pitch yourself to someone at the top to make moves. Start with the people around you—the ones who are hungry, talented, and working just as hard.
Opportunities don’t always come with a check: Yes, you should get paid for your work, but collaboration doesn’t always start with compensation. Sometimes, the relationships you build through passion projects lead to the biggest payoffs down the road.
Share the resources, share the credit: Networking across is about lifting each other up. When one of us wins, we all win. When you have a seat at the table, pull up a chair for someone else.
Let the right opportunities come: Stop stressing about getting in front of the “right” people. The right people are already in your life. Nurture those relationships, and the success will follow.
At the end of the day, networking isn’t about clout or status—it’s about community. And when you’re building with the people who understand where you’re coming from, the possibilities are endless.
