It was recently reported that the art of networking is disappearing from modern workplaces. The skill is particularly lacking among young professionals, with around 60 percent of whom avoiding in-person networking events to the detriment of their careers. I read of this with interest and concern, being a strong believer that both internal and external networking remains one of the single most powerful accelerators for career progression, and that more opportunities come through relationships than any other channel.
Research from Money.co.uk reveals that almost 40 percent of people have secured a job through networking. This highlights the importance of cultivating external connections to maximise professional advancement and opportunities, particularly in the current UK job market with its well-documented challenges. In the business arena, factors like education and technical excellence are no longer enough to guarantee success on their own, whereas the ability to build and maintain client and industry relationships has the power to define career trajectories.
A lack of confidence in networking is a major cause of the current problem. It should not be assumed that networking is an intuitive ability that comes naturally to all. Confidence in networking is a skill, not a personality trait and, like any other skill, it can be honed and developed with the right guidance.
Anyone can learn to work a room, establish rapport, and make meaningful connections with coaching.
Confident networking can be learned
More needs to be done to ensure that budding professionals can network with confidence and recognise the advantages that this can bring. The benefits not only include enhanced collaboration and the cultivation of strong relationships within their own organisations, but outside of their companies too. In particular, the value that being able to comfortably interact with prospective clients, stakeholders, peers or other industry players brings cannot be underestimated.
The ability to network falls under the umbrella of soft skills, and it is precisely these crucial skills that the next wave of young professionals entering the workforce appear to be struggling with, according to an Inspiring Learning survey. The findings show that employers value soft skills such as teamwork and communication in employees twice as much as computer skills while, from the other side, 35 percent of young workers cited opportunities for in-person collaboration as something that would help them succeed, as well as coaching or mentoring (also noted by 35 percent of respondents).
Employers have a big role to play by treating networking as an integral part of workplace development rather than allowing it to fade by not addressing it. This can mean going beyond more traditional training and investing into teaching fundamental skills such as how to network effectively and engage face-to-face, who to approach and when, the art of the handshake, starting conversations, and building genuine professional relationships.
Looking at the bigger picture, for employers this is not only a question of skills, but a retention issue. People who feel isolated, uninspired or unable to collaborate or create their own supportive networks are less likely to want to stay long-term, taking their organisation’s training investment with them.
Rather, formalising and prioritising networking as a key skill in a structured way can have tremendous positive impact. This is where measures like coaching, workshops and continued professional development (CPDs) can add considerable value. It can unlock more possibilities for those starting
out in their careers and benefit seasoned professionals just as much. Offering comprehensive training in networking skills in the workplace is something that I have advocated for, and the feedback has been positive across all levels.
Real world relationships in a digital era
The effects of the move to remote work precipitated by the pandemic, and an increasingly online world, are being keenly felt by a new generation of employees. Nearly half of those aged 18-24 say that remote and hybrid working makes it more difficult to form relationships with colleagues, while over 40 percent worry that less face-to-face engagement is limiting their personal and professional development.
In parallel, technologies including fast-advancing artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the way we work, live and interact, but we cannot afford to lose the art of networking within that evolution. Office design also has a role to play. Workplaces can encourage and facilitate real life collaboration and engagement among teams. The water-cooler conversations and areas for collaboration that nobody scheduled. These ‘accidental meeting points’ serve to bring employees closer together.
Networking is a deeply useful core skill to have for everyone, from those newly transitioning into work to professionals already years into their careers. Embracing it as part of workplace development can have compelling, far-reaching benefits.
December 31, 2025
Networking skills should play a key role in workplace development
by Henry Strickland • Comment, Workplace
Research from Money.co.uk reveals that almost 40 percent of people have secured a job through networking. This highlights the importance of cultivating external connections to maximise professional advancement and opportunities, particularly in the current UK job market with its well-documented challenges. In the business arena, factors like education and technical excellence are no longer enough to guarantee success on their own, whereas the ability to build and maintain client and industry relationships has the power to define career trajectories.
A lack of confidence in networking is a major cause of the current problem. It should not be assumed that networking is an intuitive ability that comes naturally to all. Confidence in networking is a skill, not a personality trait and, like any other skill, it can be honed and developed with the right guidance.
Anyone can learn to work a room, establish rapport, and make meaningful connections with coaching.
Confident networking can be learned
More needs to be done to ensure that budding professionals can network with confidence and recognise the advantages that this can bring. The benefits not only include enhanced collaboration and the cultivation of strong relationships within their own organisations, but outside of their companies too. In particular, the value that being able to comfortably interact with prospective clients, stakeholders, peers or other industry players brings cannot be underestimated.
The ability to network falls under the umbrella of soft skills, and it is precisely these crucial skills that the next wave of young professionals entering the workforce appear to be struggling with, according to an Inspiring Learning survey. The findings show that employers value soft skills such as teamwork and communication in employees twice as much as computer skills while, from the other side, 35 percent of young workers cited opportunities for in-person collaboration as something that would help them succeed, as well as coaching or mentoring (also noted by 35 percent of respondents).
Employers have a big role to play by treating networking as an integral part of workplace development rather than allowing it to fade by not addressing it. This can mean going beyond more traditional training and investing into teaching fundamental skills such as how to network effectively and engage face-to-face, who to approach and when, the art of the handshake, starting conversations, and building genuine professional relationships.
Looking at the bigger picture, for employers this is not only a question of skills, but a retention issue. People who feel isolated, uninspired or unable to collaborate or create their own supportive networks are less likely to want to stay long-term, taking their organisation’s training investment with them.
Rather, formalising and prioritising networking as a key skill in a structured way can have tremendous positive impact. This is where measures like coaching, workshops and continued professional development (CPDs) can add considerable value. It can unlock more possibilities for those starting
out in their careers and benefit seasoned professionals just as much. Offering comprehensive training in networking skills in the workplace is something that I have advocated for, and the feedback has been positive across all levels.
Real world relationships in a digital era
The effects of the move to remote work precipitated by the pandemic, and an increasingly online world, are being keenly felt by a new generation of employees. Nearly half of those aged 18-24 say that remote and hybrid working makes it more difficult to form relationships with colleagues, while over 40 percent worry that less face-to-face engagement is limiting their personal and professional development.
In parallel, technologies including fast-advancing artificial intelligence (AI) are reshaping the way we work, live and interact, but we cannot afford to lose the art of networking within that evolution. Office design also has a role to play. Workplaces can encourage and facilitate real life collaboration and engagement among teams. The water-cooler conversations and areas for collaboration that nobody scheduled. These ‘accidental meeting points’ serve to bring employees closer together.
Networking is a deeply useful core skill to have for everyone, from those newly transitioning into work to professionals already years into their careers. Embracing it as part of workplace development can have compelling, far-reaching benefits.
Henry Strickland is Key Consultant Programme Director at BW: Workplace Experts