MIT Newsletter - May 2026

Members in Transition • Post-Event Newsletter

May 2026 Post Event Newsletter – Networking Workshop

During a time of increasing layoffs, the SIM Detroit Members-in-Transition (MIT) committee brainstormed ways to help our members. This led to a Networking Workshop led by Tracy-Ann Palmer, CEO of WeBuildCharacter.org, which runs SIM Detroit's RISE/SOAR Mentoring Programs.

Networking is often treated like a chore, a transactional exchange of business cards and forced small talk. Our guest speaker, Jane Sydlowski, and panel of technology veterans, Jill Turpin, Mamatha Chamarthi, and David Behen, flipped that script. As Jill put it perfectly: "Build trust, find the why. Establish the personal and authentic relationship first, not your job persona. Networking is about authenticity and building trust."

The consensus? Authentic networking is about building a well before you're thirsty. Whether you are navigating a transition, launching a startup, or scaling the corporate ladder, the strategies discussed were less about "selling" and more about genuine connection.

The Five Core "Absolutisms" of Networking

Jane Sydlowski kicked off the evening with five non-negotiable principles for building a resilient professional circle:

  1. Be Prepared: Do your homework. Know who will be there and whom you want to engage with.
  2. Be Creative: Traditional networking (like golf) isn't for everyone. If shopping or a spa foot detox is where you connect best, do that. Tailor the experience to the person you are meeting.
  3. Empower Others: Advocacy is the highest form of networking. Learn the "superpowers" of your peers and advocate for them in rooms they haven't entered yet.
  4. Get Involved: Active service in organizations like SIM Detroit or MCWT demonstrates your character and reliability in ways a resume never can. David Behen framed it best in the context of starting his own youth baseball club: "You can either let others lead the community or decide to be a leader within it. Choosing to lead is more fun, and you will meet more great people."
  5. Be the Authentic YOU: People smell "fake" a mile away. You're stuck with yourself, so you might as well be true to yourself. Jill reminded the room to focus on intent: "Genuinely believe my heart is with them, authenticity. Have the right intent. Be vulnerable. Seek to understand the other person's perspective."

Strategic Tactics for Career Growth

1. Build Your Personal Board of Directors

Don't just look for one mentor. Build a board that serves three distinct functions:

  • Near-term Guides: People who can help with your current day-to-day challenges.
  • Long-term Path-setters: Visionaries who have been where you want to go.
  • Morale Supporters: The truth-tellers who keep you grounded and encouraged.
Mamatha advised: "Find your support/mentor, people who will pick you up. A board of directors who help you see how to pivot. Self-reflect on the options."

2. Check Your Ego ("Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi)

It is easy to become isolated the higher you go. Mamatha Chamarthi highlighted the danger of losing touch:

"When we climb the ladder, our ego takes over. First, try to understand them, then be understood. It's less about you, more about them. When you need help, your network will come to you because you've been there for them."

3. Tear Down Your Internal Walls During Transitions

When making a pivot, searching for your "Ikigai" (the intersection of passion, purpose, and skill), reaching out for help can feel daunting. Mamatha addressed this vulnerability head-on:

"Be comfortable with yourself first before you reach out. We are being the most critical to ourselves. No one will judge you. We build our own walls and we need to take that down."

4. Owning Your Narrative (The Carla Harris Method)

Your brand is your most valuable asset. As Mamatha asked the room: "Brand is about when you leave the room, what do people talk about you?"

To take control of that narrative:

  • Define five attributes you want to be known for.
  • Review them daily. Does your behavior align with those words?
  • Inject the language. If you want to be known as "innovative," use that word consistently so your sponsors and truth-tellers adopt it.

Tales from the Trenches

Mentorship over Decades: Dave Behen recounted how a chance encounter in 2007 led to a 20-year mentorship with Rick Snyder. His advice? Embrace the discomfort. You learn the most when you're the most uncomfortable.

The Power of the "Asker": Mamatha Chamarthi noted the difficult shift from being a "giver" (corporate leader) to an "asker" (founder).

Trust Through Accountability: Jill Turpin builds rapid credibility with new clients by owning mistakes immediately. Integrity trumps quotas every time.

Networking Workshop Roundtable Guide

To help our members immediately put these panel insights into practice, our breakout tables utilized the following operational roadmap curated by WeBuildCharacter.org:

Table Topic 1

Mastering Building a Network

Reframe: A network is not contacts, it is a compounding strategic asset.

Opening Discussion

  • Most people don't have a network problem. They have a clarity and consistency problem.
  • If your network disappeared tomorrow, could you rebuild it quickly?
  • Are you building relationships, or just collecting names?

Deep-Dive Questions

  • How many people have you proactively engaged in the last 30 days?
  • Who would take your call today without context?
  • What industries, roles, or companies are you NOT connected to, but should be?
  • What do you do within 24–48 hours after meeting someone?
  • When was the last time you made an introduction that helped someone else?

Advanced Talking Points

  • Your network reflects your past unless you intentionally redesign it.
  • Strong networks are built in seasons of strength, not just need.
  • Consistency beats intensity, small weekly actions outperform sporadic effort.
  • Visibility creates opportunity, people can't connect with who they don't see.
  • Give before you ask, value builds leverage.

Tactical Systems

  • 3x3 Rule: 3 new connections, 3 follow-ups, 3 value-add touches weekly
  • Weekly Network Block: 60–90 minutes scheduled time
  • Event Strategy: Identify 3 people, ask 1 question, follow up within 24 hours
  • Follow-Up System: Track contacts, last touchpoint, next action

Table Topic 2

Who Do I Want to Meet?

Reframe: Specificity creates access. Vagueness creates randomness.

Opening Discussion

  • The right 5 relationships can change your trajectory faster than 500 random ones.
  • If you don't define your targets, your network will stay accidental.

Deep-Dive Questions

  • Who are 2–3 specific people you want to meet? Name them.
  • What outcome do you want from that connection?
  • What value can you offer them immediately?
  • What will you say when you reach out?
  • What makes your outreach worth responding to?

Execution Frameworks

  • Warm Path: Target → Connector → Context → Credibility → Ask
  • 5-Minute Ask: Be specific, relevant, and respectful of time
  • Borrowed Credibility: Use shared connections or experiences
  • Message Structure: Why them → Why now → Why you

Best Practices: Building a Strong, Long-Lasting Network

  • Think long-term: Relationships are built over years, not transactions.
  • Stay visible: Consistent presence (LinkedIn, events, content) builds familiarity.
  • Be useful: Share insights, make introductions, create opportunities.
  • Follow up consistently: Most value is created after the first interaction.
  • Diversify your network: Cross-industry, cross-level, cross-function.
  • Invest in depth: 10 strong relationships outperform 100 weak ones.
  • Be known for something: Expertise creates magnetism.
  • Track your relationships: Systems outperform memory.
  • Give without expectation: This builds trust and reputation.
  • Reconnect regularly: Dormant networks lose value quickly.

Facilitator Close

Each participant commits to:

  • One person they will contact within 48 hours
  • One follow-up they've been avoiding
  • One system they will implement weekly

Your 24-Hour Action Plan

Ready to move the needle? Here is your homework for tomorrow:

☐ The Coffee Challenge: Identify five people you've been meaning to connect with and invite them for a 20-minute coffee (virtual or in-person).

☐ Network Mapping: Systematically list the companies or roles you're targeting. Look for the "connectors" in your current circles who can bridge the gap.

☐ Brand Audit: Ask a "truth-teller" in your network: "What are the three words people use to describe me when I'm not in the room?" Compare that to your desired brand.

The biggest mistake talented people make is waiting until they are in transition to start networking. Start building your board today.