766: Using AI to Make Networking Easier, with Ruth Gotian

Ruth Gotian: Networking in the Age of AI

Ruth Gotian is the former Chief Learning Officer and Associate Professor of Education in Anaesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine. Thinkers50 has ranked her the #1 emerging management thinker in the world, and she’s a top LinkedIn voice in mentoring. She’s the author of The Success Factor and, with Andy Lopata, The Financial Times Guide to Mentoring.

Most of us recognize the value of building a better network, but we also know the time and dedication it takes. In this conversation, Ruth and I explore how we can use AI tools to do some of the administrative legwork so that we can spend more time on the real relationship-building.

Key Points

• McKinsey reports that since the pandemic, most people’s networks have shrunk or stalled.
• Consider the 90/9/1 rule: 90% of people lurk in online communities, 9% interact somewhat regularly, 1% post and lead the conversation.
• Use AI to enhance, not replace, your communications. Invite AI to do the administrative legwork (i.e. brainstorming, proofreading) so you focus on the human aspects.
• Ask AI to analyze speaker and attendee lists in advance at conferences in the context of your goals.
• Consider being the person that puts together an in-person dinner or gathering at a conference. Use AI to help you prep questions and discover the best people to invite.
• Ask AI to help complete your LinkedIn profile. An All-Star LinkedIn profile makes it substantially more likely that you’ll get surfaced to others.

Resources Mentioned

• Networking in the Age of AI by Ruth Gotian

Related Episodes

• How to Grow Your Professional Network, with Tom Henschel* (episode 279)
• How to Build a Network While Still Doing Everything Else, with Ruth Gotian* (episode 591)
• The Key Elements of a Powerful Personal Brand, with Goldie Chan* (episode 757)

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