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Personal networking can help grow your business, but it can also help you grow as a person and a leader. The key is in how you view it. For some, it is a necessary evilcollecting names and LinkedIn connections like a dance card. For others, it is no gameit is getting to know someone on a genuine basis, even if it will never help them. We asked our Fast Company Impact Council members about the role personal networking plays in their own growth strategies. Not surprisingly, many had thoughts about it, and those thoughts are insightful. 1. PRESSURE-TEST IDEAS Personal networking is how I pressure-test ideas, spot patterns early, and learn from leaders navigating similar change. In an AI-driven world, no one has all the answers. Candid conversations with CHROs, CEOs, technologists, and emerging talent sharpen my judgment and expand my perspective. I view my network as a learning community that accelerates adaptation and keeps my leadership grounded in real experience. Jacqui Canney, ServiceNow 2. CONTRIBUTION COMPOUNDS Im not a traditional networker. Im just genuinely curious about people. My philosophy is simple: Add more value than you take in every interaction. If you approach relationships that way, the network builds itself. Some of that value comes back to you. Some of it doesnt, and thats fine. The goal isnt extraction. Its contribution. Over time, that compounds. Elery Pfeffer, Nift 3. TALENT RECRUITMENT My top priority as CEO is talent recruitment. The best executive talent isnt found on job boards like Indeed; its built through genuine personal relationships where trust and cultural fit are already established. Investing time in meaningful networking is one of the highest-ROI activities one can do. Jeff Peel, Tactacam 4. TRUST, INSIGHT, AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES Personal networking plays a significant role in my growth strategy because trust, insight, and real-world experiences are three of the mostimportant elementsof any relationship. In a field like organization design, these relationshipfundamentalsaremission critical. Showing upin person at conferences and industry gatherings is nonnegotiable forme becauseit opens doors to new connections, perspectives, and insights in ways that digital channels do not. Ultimately, staying close to decisionmakers and emerging trends through these networks helps us continually evolve how we drive impact and deliver results. Alice Mann, Mann Partners 5. IQ PLUS EQ Personal networking is our most durable growth lever. Clients are hiring people, and they are choosing based on conviction and chemistry. Our differentiation is IQ plus EQ, especially in a landscape where AI makes solutions feel interchangeable. We invest intentionally in the rooms where real connection happens: small dinners, curated summits, repeat moments in the same cities. We show up to exchange ideas and not to pitch. The business follows the trust. Peter Smart, Fantasy 6. EXPOSURE, NOT TRANSACTION I don’t think of networking the way most people frame it. It’s not transactional. It’s exposure. I want to be around people who think differently than I do. Different industries, countries, backgrounds. That’s where growth comes from. I’ve learned as much from a restaurant owner in San Sebastián or a founder in Stockholm as I have from music executives. Patterns are everywhere if you’re paying attention. The best ideas come from applying something from one world to another. If I stay in one circle too long, my thinking narrows. Relationships keep that from happening. They stretch you in ways that are hard to measure but very real. Logan Mulvey, GoDigital Music 7. YOUR NETWORK AND REPUTATION ARE KEY Weve moved from a knowledge economy to a network economy really fast, just in the past few years. When intelligence is unlimited (aka GenAI), who you know and your reputation among your peers is all you have left. The word networking comes with baggage because you have to be invited into the room first, and navigate the room with ease. Both things are harder for minorities, and yet all the more important. Thats where the benefits of a network like Fast Company Impact Council multiply. Hala Hanna, MIT Solve 8. A COLLECTIVE BRAIN TRUST As a leader, you’re paid to have great judgment, not to have all the right ideas yourself. You get that from a diverse network of people. I see it as the critical second piece of leadership, acting as a counterweight to technology. While AI is a huge focus, the value of human connection hasn’t changed in thousands of years. I view my network as a collective brain trust. My global background taught me that a widerapertureacross roles, countries, and industriesdefinitely leads tobetter judgment. Ultimately, human connection remains the foundation of good judgment. Tony Grimminck, Scribd, Inc. 9. BUILD TRUST AND DEMONSTRATE VALUE Personal networking is a muscle and it’s one I try and use every day to grow and nurture relationships. Whether it’s reaching out to an old colleague, having a virtual meet and greet with someone new, or attending an event, I show up with curiosity and genuine interest in what people are working on. My goal is to give, not to add them to my pipeline. By showing up as myself, with care, I build trust and demonstrate value, and business often follows. Randi Lee, Lucas Advisory 10. CONNECTING OTHERS AS A PUZZLE Personal networking is foundational to my growth strategy. I am a connector at heart and see it as a puzzle: Who should know each other and how can I empower them? Networking is not transactional. It is about building long-term relationships rooted in trust, generosity, and shared value. When you consistently show up for others, opportunities follow. Do not be afraid to reach out. There will be rejection. Develop thick skin, recover quickly, and stay humble. Resilience without ego is the differentiator. Meredith Rosenberg, NU Advisory Partners 11. ONE GENUINE CONNECTION AT A TIME Go to events you are actually interested in, that will have like-minded people having discussions you can meaningfully contribute to. It’s far better to make one genuine connectiondare I say a friendthan to indiscriminately gather 1,000 new LinkedIn contacts. Lindsey Witmer Collins, WLCM Studio 12. PEER COMMUNITIES Personal networking plays a meaningful role in my growth strategy. The right peer community sharpens perspective and strengthens decision-making. Ive been a member of YPO for nearly five years, which has been invaluable for supporting and learning alongside other founders. Im also part of networks like Pear and Founders Club, where we share insights, support one another, and grow together within the industry. Ben Jeffries, Influencer 13. BUILD LONG-TERM TRUST ACROSS INDUSTRIES Personal networking is not transactional for us, it is relational. Growth comes from long-term trust built across industries, from healthcare to consumer goods. We invest in conversations, not pitches, sharing ideas, research, and perspective generously. Those relationships often reveal unmet needs before they become formal briefs. For a design brand rooted in humanism, networking is simply an extension of our practice: listening first, adding value, and building partnerships that endure. Ben Wintner, Michael Graves Design 14. GROW BY REFERRAL As CEO and chief recruiter, this is my full-time focus. We grow by referral, reviewing and screening all who are referred to us who sync with our values of transparency, trust, kindness, generosity of spirit, gratitude, no politics or religion, and paying it forward, as well as sharing domain expertise. Larraine Segil, Exceptional Women Alliance 15. BE KIND, SELFLESS, AND AUTHENTIC There is nothing in business thats more powerful than your network (for good or bad). Always be kind, selfless, and authentic and seek out others doing the same. This will lead to both an incredible life and fulfilling career. Life is far too short to spend time with assholes and narcissists. William H. Dodge, P-U-B-L-I-C 16. DONT OPERATE IN A SILO Networking isnt about what you can extract, its about what you can contribute. No business challenge is truly new; someone, somewhere has solved a version of it before. A strong network shortens reaction time, prevents reinvention, and builds collective intelligence. Youre only as strong as the people you can rely on, otherwise youre operating in a silo in an interconnected economy. Emily Kortlang, Yerba Madre 17. RELATIONAL TRANSACTIONS Our growth strategyhas always centered onrelational transactions, notfinancialtransactions, because the first project should always be the first of manywith that client.Conceptually, we are always working totransition fromtraditional marketing to an attraction strategy, because our best workand our cultureshould be so compelling that clients actively seek us out. Steven McKay, DLR Group 18. PLAY THE LONG GAME Play the long game in relationship building. Take the meeting, do the call, go to the event. Ninety percent of the time youll be glad you did. These relationships help close deals, recruit talent, and attract partnerships in the medium and long term. Michael Tannenbaum, Figure 19. APPROACH WITH CURIOSITY I approach networking with genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn, leaving ego at the door. If you come into a conversation with the sole intent of convincing or selling someone, it rarely works. The most meaningful and fruitful connections come when you focus on listening and learning. Just like our partnership with Second Cityit all started with a casual conversation at a Fast Company event! Nathan Friedman, Understood.org
Category:
E-Commerce
Electric freight has reached a critical inflection point. The long-standing question about whether electric trucks can reliably handle long-haul duty cycles has been answered. Several heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have proved that zero-emission trucks can meet real work freight demands by completing single-charge journeys making corridor freight transportation a reality. Long-term forecasts for medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks and charging infrastructure also remain optimistic as original equipment manufacturers roll out new nameplates and next-generation platforms. But performance alone will not define the next chapter. Energy availability, infrastructure readiness, capital discipline, and the ability to align electrification with real business objectives are now shaping how the market evolves. The next phase of electric freight will be defined by pragmatism over hype. Three trends stand out. 1. The industry is entering a smarter, right-sized era. 2. Economics will remain the central challenge, with upfront entry costs emerging as the most immediate barrier. 3. Megawatt charging is poised to move from concept to commercial reality. The next two years will test which companies have built sustainable businesses, with sound economics, repeat customers, and scalable operations. Market realities are reshaping how electric freight infrastructure gets built The groundwork for electric freight has already been laid. Across North America, multiple companies now have medium- and heavy-duty charging sites up and running, proving that the technical capability exists to support zero-emission trucking at scale. Globally, more than 89,000 electric trucks were sold in the first half of 2025, up 140% from the same period in 2024, largely thanks to China and Europe, according to a report by Smart Freight Centre and BloombergNEF. China accounted for almost 80,000 of those, with sales in Europe making up most of the balance. That progress has also reinforced a broader industry understanding that the era of build it and they will come is giving way to a more demand-driven approach. An indicator of this is that market projections for electric trucking have effectively shifted about two years later than expected, and infrastructure development needs to adjust accordingly. This will not ultimately have a negative long-term impact, but it will be crucial for the industry and for companies that adapt to ensure lasting success. With grid constraints, interconnection delays, and rising power demand becoming more visible across major freight corridors, infrastructure planning must also account for real-world energy limitations and not just vehicle adoption forecasts. To achieve long-term viability, the focus must shift to building smarter and at the pace of real demand. This shift is already influencing how new charging hubs are being planned across key freight corridors. Along the I-15 and I-10 corridors, developers are prioritizing fewer chargers, streamlined amenities, and scalable designs that maintain corridor coverage while aligning more closely with todays market realities. Many sites are also exploring combinations of grid power, on-site renewable generation, and emerging flexible interconnection models to navigate local utility constraints and improve long-term resilience. This approach is likely to become more common across the industry, particularly in the near term, and thats a positive development as it creates the financial and operational runway and stability needed to prepare for what comes next. Megawatt charging becomes a reality in 2026 As electric truck models with higher power requirements begin to reach commercial readiness, the next phase of freight electrification will be defined by megawatt-level charging infrastructure. The trucking industry will need high-power charging infrastructure that can support the energy demands of the largest commercial vehicles and reduce charging times for fleets operating on tight schedules, according to a 2026 outlook report. Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Volvo vehicles are set to accept the megawatt charging standard , and recent industry reporting indicates that Teslas Semi program is progressing toward volume production in 2026 with plans for new megachargers capable of delivering the high power necessary for larger battery packs. To meet this shift, we will likely see infrastructure developers future-proof their charging operations by developing sites with charging demands of the next phase of electrification in mind, rather than built to todays standards alone. Some of todays leading heavy-duty charging sites are being designed with flexibility at their core, using underground trenching systems that allow for future upgrades to megawatt-scale charging without extensive reconstruction. This is particularly important given the billions of dollars being invested in charging technology that could evolve significantly before infrastructure assets are fully depreciated. This approach ensures that infrastructure remains relevant and scalable as heavy-duty EV adoption and vehicle capabilities grow. As the next phase of electrification takes shape, designing and locating charging infrastructure with long-term energy capacity in mind will be critical to keeping freight moving efficiently for decades to come. Redefining an industry through resilience If the first chapter of electric freight was defined by investor momentum and genuine ambition, the next will be defined by accountability. Government incentives and early capital played an essential role in accelerating pilot programs and proving technical feasibility. But as public funding becomes more limited and private capital grows more selective, the industry is entering a new phase where infrastructure providers and fleet operators alike must demonstrate disciplined growth, operational efficiency, and consistent customer value. This shift is healthy. Fleet electrification must function as a durable business model. That means minimizing soft costs, improving asset utilization, aligning infrastructure with real freight demand, and solving for energy constraints in practical, scalable ways. It also means supporting shippers that are under increasing pressure to meet ESG and climate commitments, while ensuring that carriers can remain competitive in amarket that transports more than 70% of the nations goods. The companies that succeed in this environment will not be those that built the fastest or expanded the most aggressively, but those that built at the pace of demand, with resilient energy strategies, flexible infrastructure design, and a clear path to long-term returns. With this, the next several years will reveal which players have built businesses designed to sustain in the energy transition. As these shifts take hold, a more resilient, efficient, and scalable zero-emission freight ecosystem is beginning to emergeone that is also restoring confidence across the investment community as market fundamentals stabilize and clearer paths to utilization and returns come into focusdesigned not just to withstand volatility, but to mature through it and deliver durable, long-term impact. Patrick Macdonald-King is CEO of Greenlane.
Category:
E-Commerce
The ancient world understood that leaders who act without self-knowledge create chaos. Consider that at the entrance to the Oracle of Delphi was the following inscription: “Know thyself.” Socrates further imbued meaning into this tenet by declaring that his wisdom came from knowing that he knew nothing. Later, Stoics like Marcus Aurelius argued that self-knowledge meant acknowledging what was actually within your control. The throughline across millennia is clear: cultivating inner clarity helps us navigate external uncertainty. But here’s what the ancients also understood: self-knowledge isn’t a solitary pursuit. We come to know ourselves through relationships, and we can only meet others as deeply as we’ve met ourselves. The leader who hasn’t examined their own fears, assumptions, and blind spots will inevitably project those shadows onto their teams. Inner work enables outer connection. This ancient wisdom has never been more urgent. Here’s an irony worth sitting with: the more AI dominates our workplaces, the more desperately we crave authentic human connection. As leaders scramble to implement the latest automation tools, the real competitive advantage is hiding in plain sightand it has nothing to do with technology. {"blockType":"mv-promo-block","data":{"imageDesktopUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking.jpg","imageMobileUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking_0b545c.jpg","eyebrow":"","headline":"\u003Cem\u003EWonderRigor Newsletter\u003C\/em\u003E","dek":"Want more insights, tools, and invitations from Dr. Natalie Nixon about applying creativity for meaningful business results and the future of work? Subscribe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__figure-2D8-2Dthinking-2Dllc.kit.com_sign-2Dup\u0026amp;d=DwMFaQ\u0026amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM\u0026amp;r=xHenyQfyc6YcuCNMBsOvfYGQILM1d1ruredVZikn4HE\u0026amp;m=F383gnrChFhYKPhcpNHI1hY3o58IHIn_LkB5QJDrs3G5Wfft-DcucUO4UEmGO7GZ\u0026amp;s=JlJm7GyKCJvPW0jyrsfTFtinteKDitN13vfPZiuJnP8\u0026amp;e=\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E for the free WonderRigor newsletter at Figure8Thinking.com","subhed":"","description":"","ctaText":"Learn More","ctaUrl":"http:\/\/Figure8Thinking.com","theme":{"bg":"#3b3f46","text":"#ffffff","eyebrow":"#9aa2aa","subhed":"#ffffff","buttonBg":"#6e8ba6","buttonHoverBg":"#3b3f46","buttonText":"#ffffff"},"imageDesktopId":91470060,"imageMobileId":91470061,"shareable":false,"slug":"","wpCssClasses":""}} I call it “Inside Out” leadership, and it’s becoming the secret weapon for organizations serious about attracting and keeping top talent. What does this look like in practice? A few years ago, a CIO at a global law firm hired me to help his executive leadership team normalize curiosity. I was impressed. It’s not every day that a high-powered law firm wants to invest in helping its team pause, in order to make questions feel more like the catalyst for innovation, instead of cause for getting your wrist slapped. This CIO was exhibiting Inside Out leadership: he had done his own inner work first, which gave him the clarity and courage to create conditions for his team to do the same. The two dimensions of inside out work Inside Out leadership operates on two critical dimensions. First, it’s about how leaders show upembracing vulnerability, practicing continuous self-inquiry, and reflecting that openness outward to their teams. Second, it’s about creating environments where employees feel not just permitted but encouraged to bring their whole selves to work. This isn’t soft, feel-good leadership fluff. It’s strategic infrastructure for the AI eraand the numbers bear this out. Gallup research reveals that disengaged employees cost organizations 18% of their annual salary in lost productivity. Meanwhile, McKinsey found that companies in the top quartile for employee experience report 25% higher profitability than their peers. The connection between inner work and bottom-line results isn’t philosophical; it’s mathematical. As routine tasks get automated, the uniquely human abilities to connect, empathize, and collaborate become your organization’s most valuableand irreplaceableassets. Leaders who ignore this reality aren’t just missing an opportunity; they’re hemorrhaging resources. Workplace wellness studies show that burnout alone costs U.S. employers approximately $300 billion annually. Inside Out leadership isn’t a wellness perk to offer when budgets allowit’s economic infrastructure that organizations can’t afford to neglect. Three pillars that make it work People: Authenticity as strategy. Start team meetings with a “Life Update” round where people share one personal highlight from their week. Create “Story Circles” where team members share pivotal moments from their journeys. These aren’t time-wasters; they’re trust-builders that compound over time. Process: The power of play. One of the most counterintuitive aspects of Inside Out work is its emphasis on play. Transform brainstorming sessions into “Solution Safaris” where teams physically move around the office collecting and building on ideas. Use improvisation exercises to kick off strategy meetings. Play naturally encourages negotiation, collaboration, and curiosityskills that are increasingly valuable as AI handles the routine. Place: The premium of presence. In our increasingly virtual world, face-to-face interaction has become a luxury good. Smart organizations leverage this scarcity by making in-person events premium experiences. Design “No-Tech Tuesdays” where certain meetings go device-free. Institute “Walking One-on-Ones” that take conversations outside traditional office settings. These aren’t perksthey’re competitive differentiators. The path forward Start small. Pick one team as your pilot group. Document both quantitative metrics (engagement scores, retention rates) and qualitative feedback. Identify “Inside Out Champions” who can help spread these practices throughout your organization. The organizations that will thrive in the AI era won’t be those with the most advanced technology. They’ll be those that best combine technological capabilities with deeply human connections. Inside Out leadership isn’t just a philosophyit’s a blueprint for building organizations that can attract, retain, and inspire the best talent in an increasingly automated world. The future belongs to leaders brave enough to work from the inside out. {"blockType":"mv-promo-block","data":{"imageDesktopUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking.jpg","imageMobileUrl":"https:\/\/images.fastcompany.com\/image\/upload\/f_webp,q_auto,c_fit\/wp-cms-2\/2026\/01\/i-16x9-figure-thinking_0b545c.jpg","eyebrow":"","headline":"\u003Cem\u003EWonderRigor Newsletter\u003C\/em\u003E","dek":"Want more insights, tools, and invitations from Dr. Natalie Nixon about applying creativity for meaningful business results and the future of work? Subscribe \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/urldefense.proofpoint.com\/v2\/url?u=https-3A__figure-2D8-2Dthinking-2Dllc.kit.com_sign-2Dup\u0026amp;d=DwMFaQ\u0026amp;c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM\u0026amp;r=xHenyQfyc6YcuCNMBsOvfYGQILM1d1ruredVZikn4HE\u0026amp;m=F383gnrChFhYKPhcpNHI1hY3o58IHIn_LkB5QJDrs3G5Wfft-DcucUO4UEmGO7GZ\u0026amp;s=JlJm7GyKCJvPW0jyrsfTFtinteKDitN13vfPZiuJnP8\u0026amp;e=\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E for the free WonderRigor newsletter at Figure8Thinking.com","subhed":"","description":"","ctaText":"Learn More","ctaUrl":"http:\/\/Figure8Thinking.com","theme":{"bg":"#3b3f46","text":"#ffffff","eyebrow":"#9aa2aa","subhed":"#ffffff","buttonBg":"#6e8ba6","buttonHoverBg":"#3b3f46","buttonText":"#ffffff"},"imageDesktopId":91470060,"imageMobileId":91470061,"shareable":false,"slug":"","wpCssClasses":""}}
Category:
E-Commerce
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