The Art and Power of True Connection

What a week.

Deep conversations, new experiences, and a renewed focus on energy management. After nearly wiping myself out last year, I’ve become far more intentional about where my energy goes.

My biggest discovery - Leaving space for connection.

Remember when you could just pick up the phone without scheduling? Wild, right? Well, I’ve been doing exactly that these past few weeks—and the energy has completely shifted. I made space, and people naturally stepped into it.

Oh, and the number of groups I’m still "part of"? 14. Yeah, I’m working on that…

My Commitment This Year: Deepening Connections

This year, I’m being more deliberate about my relationships. Instead of being everywhere, I’m focusing on being present where it matters most. Less running around, more intentionality. Instead of surface-level interactions, I’m investing in real, meaningful connections—the ones that make a lasting impact.

This means:
✔ Saying no to being constantly out there
✔ Prioritising depth over volume
✔ Spending time with people who align with my energy and purpose

Because here’s the truth

Networking vs. Connecting: The Real Game

In my CEO of Your Career workshops, I talk a lot about intentional networking. But if I’m honest, I never set out to be intentional about it—it was just natural. I love people. I love hearing their stories.

What I didn’t realise until recently is just how much people struggle with connection. Five years post-pandemic, the impact of remote working is real. People feel disconnected but don’t quite know how to fix it.

Three Networking Rules to Live By

1. Be intentional
   Before you show up, ask yourself:

   • Why am I going to this event?

   • What do I want people to know about me?

   • What do I want to learn from others?

2. Do a 10-minute research sprint
   Google is your best friend. Who are the speakers? What’s the latest on the topic? A quick intentional search can transform your confidence in the room.

3. Follow up like you mean it
   My follow-up game is strong, but I don’t do it just for the sake of it. When I reach out, it’s because I truly see value in staying connected—either I can help them, or I know I’ll learn from them.

And most importantly? Enjoy it. Don’t take networking so seriously. Some of the best connections happen in the most unexpected ways.

My Most Random Yet Life-Changing Connections

🔹 I pitched to a manager for a major luxury fashion brand. She didn’t buy from me. Instead? We became besties.

🔹 At Harvard Women’s Leadership Board, I attended a session about applying poker & chess strategies in life. I maintained the connection, fast forward two months—I was invited to an event (with zero details shared), we all had a lesson I ended up coming second, joining a women’s poker BootCamp, winning a place at Cyprus EPT, and… I’m now an international poker player.

Be intentional, follow up, but also stay a little loose with it. I joke that back when I was at Virgin, responses came through instantly—now? Let’s just say I get left on read a lot. I’ve learned not to take it too personally (though, trust me, my ego feels it every time).

But here’s the thing—I’ve realised it’s rarely personal. If there’s no immediate need and we’re not exactly friends, I’m simply not top of mind. And that’s okay.

Additional Resources

• How to master the art of schmoozing - Working It, Isabel Berwick

• The 2-Hour Cocktail Party – Nick Gray - Brilliant for intentional but fun networking

•  How to Follow Up After a Networking Event - HBR's best advice on follow-up strategies

• Never Eat Alone – Keith Ferrazzi - A must-read on authentic relationship building

Your Next Steps

• Review your diary and identify the key events you have coming up

• Outline your objectives for these events, who can you reach out to beforehand?How can you best prepare to ensure that you are impactful?

   “Luck” happens when preparation meets opportunity

The Magic of Leaving Space

While being intentional is important, so is letting things flow. The best connections are often the ones you never saw coming.

I’d love to hear from you -

With Peace, Love and Determination

P.S. If there is anything in particular you would like to hear about in these newsletters, please feel free to reach out and ask!

The Highlights from this week

This week was intense but incredible—heavy conversations, a deep dive into politics, and no more sidestepping the weight of it all. It was time to dive in a bit more, and I did just that.

I attended an eye-opening session at Bloomberg, celebrated the publication of the book “Make Work Fair” with my Harvard professors here in London, met the one and only Julia Gillard and continued my journey with the Accenture & Henley Business School Accelerator Programme.

And to top it all off? I was absolutely chuffed to be recognised as one of the Caribbean’s Top 150 Leading Women—a beautifully timed honour, as I’d just returned from supporting the University of the West Indies’ Women in Leadership Executive Programme for the second year in a row. What a week!