Tip: Are you an Infinite Horizon Networker?

Posted by Hailey Heimbach on Thursday, May 22, 2025

Tip: Are you an Infinite Horizon Networker?

We like Dorie Clark’s (author The Long Game) three types of professional networking relationships:

1. Short-term

2. Long-term

3. Infinite horizon

As explained by Carmine Gallo in this Inc. article, "2 Kinds of Professional Networking That Work–And One That Doesn’t":

Short-term networkers are often asking for one-off assistance in finding a job, making a referral or some other transactional interaction. Sometimes a short-term networker will be successful in their ask, but without ‘discovering what they can do in return’, it is pretty much a dead-end relationship.

Long-term networking is maintaining the valuable network you have (see our tip 3 Excellent Ways to Keep your Network Warm). Clark suggests “you can start building long-term relationships by identifying people in your field who are doing cool things or whose work you admire…You don’t have a specific ask in mind: all you know is that this person is worth getting to know.”

Infinite horizon networking is finding new and interesting people and establishing stronger relationships with the weak ties you already have. Since they’re “not plugged into your usual channels" they have "the potential of becoming your most transformative relationship because they are exposing you to new ideas, people, and opportunities.”

SHEPA LEARNING COMPANY WEEKLY POSITIVE NETWORKING® TIP​
​No. 1115, May 21, 2025​
​By Gayle Hallgren and Judy Thomson

Categories: General

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