Networking That Gets You Hired: Proven Strategies for Career Success

In this episode of the Thrive Careers podcast, host Olajumoke Fatoki interviews Michael Morgan, an accomplished professional and author of 'The Power of Networking.' They discuss the importance of building authentic relationships in networking, share transformative personal experiences, and provide actionable strategies for maintaining connections. Michael emphasizes the significance of reciprocity in networking and how genuine friendships can lead to career growth and opportunities. In this insightful conversation, Michael Morgan shares his expertise on networking, emphasizing its importance in career growth and transitions. He outlines actionable steps for building and maintaining meaningful professional relationships, discusses the critical role of mentorship, and highlights the necessity of being proactive in one's career. The discussion also touches on the journey of networking and the mindset required to succeed in a competitive environment.

Takeaways

Networking is about building genuine friendships, not transactions.
Maintaining relationships requires intentional effort and follow-up.
Using technology can enhance networking opportunities.
Face-to-face interactions are irreplaceable in building connections.
Reciprocity is key; give before you ask.
Networking can open doors to unposted job opportunities.
Keeping track of contacts helps maintain relationships.
Leverage your commute or travel time for networking.
Engage with your network on social media meaningfully.
Networking is essential for career advancement and job performance. Networking is a two-way street, emphasizing the importance of giving and receiving.
To build a network, one must actively put themselves out there and seek connections.
Maintaining connections is as crucial as making them; have a plan for outreach.
Identify ways to add value to others in your network to strengthen relationships.
Networking can significantly aid career transitions and promotions.
Mentorship plays a vital role in professional development and networking.
You own your career; take proactive steps to manage it effectively.
Success in networking requires time, effort, and consistency.
Be a master in your craft; it takes time and dedication to excel.
There are ample opportunities for everyone; collaboration is key.

Keywords

networking, career growth, authentic connections, Michael Morgan, networking strategies, professional relationships, career advice, networking tips, building connections, networking book, networking, career growth, mentorship, actionable steps, professional relationships, networking strategies, career transitions, networking tips, building connections, networking success

 https://www.amazon.com/Power-Networking-Strategies-Excellence-Development/dp/B0D1NDV684

Transcript

 Hello everyone and welcome to the Thrive Careers podcast. The show that helps you land your dream job and build a thriving career. I'm your host, Olajumoke Fatoki, and I'm so excited you're tuning in today because we have a truly special episode lined up for you. Joining us today is someone who embodies what it means to build meaningful connections.

Michael Morgan (00:05.016)
Hello everyone and welcome to the Thrive Careers podcast. The show that helps you land your dream job and build a thriving career. I'm your host, Alajmo Kefateke, and I'm so excited you're tuning in today because we have a truly special episode lined up for you.

Joining us today is someone who embodies what it means to build meaningful connections and use them to form a successful career. Michael Morgan is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience at world-class organizations like Amazon, Walmart, JP Morgan Chase, and Chevron.

Olajumoke Fatoki (00:31.962)
and use them to fill a successful career. Michael Morgan is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience at world-class organizations like Amazon, Walmart, JP Morgan Chase, and Chevron. He's also an author and is a passionate advocate for helping others achieve their goals. His new book, The Power of Networking, offers a

Michael Morgan (00:49.398)
is also an author and is a passionate advocate for helping others achieve their goals. His new book, The Power of Networking, offers a fresh perspective on how we can all redefine and leverage networking in a way that's not just effective, but also authentic and fulfilling.

Olajumoke Fatoki (01:00.317)
fresh perspective on how we can all redefine and leverage networking in a way that's not just effective, but also authentic and fulfilling. In this episode, we'll dive into Michael's incredible career journey. The lessons he's been able to learn along the way, know, the experience working at some of those competitive companies in the world and practical

Michael Morgan (01:11.648)
In this episode, we will dive into Michael's incredible career journey, the lessons he's been able to learn along the way.

the experience working at some of those competitive companies in the world and practical actionable strategies that you can use to start building a powerful network. So whether you're just starting your area, making a pivot or looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights that you would not want to miss. So let's get right into Michael.

Olajumoke Fatoki (01:26.201)
actionable strategies that you can use to start building a powerful network. whether you're just starting your career, making a pivot or looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights that you would not want to miss. So let's get right into it. Michael, thank you for coming on the show. would like to begin, you know, by you sharing some words of wisdom on, know, what really inspired you to write your

Michael Morgan (01:45.678)
Thank you for coming on the show. I would like to begin by you sharing some words of wisdom on what really inspired you to write your book, The Power of Networking. Yes, absolutely. First and foremost, thank you for having me a guest on your podcast. I love the Thrive Podcast, so I'm happy to be here. And then to answer your question, so throughout my career and education journey,

Olajumoke Fatoki (01:57.246)
Power of networking.

Michael Morgan (02:14.336)
I've had a lot of people within my network that reached out to me for guidance, for tips, whether it's how was I able to transition industries because I've moved from financial services to oil and gas to tech to retail to now cyber security, or how was I able to excel in my role? How was I able to advance? How was I able to transition from individual contributor to a people manager role? What was my rationale with going back to school to get my MBA?

So people in my network have been reaching out to me for tips advice. People in my network have been connecting with people in their network for tips advice. Random people on LinkedIn look at my profile and just reached out to me because they were impressed with my work experience and wanted to ask me questions. And after a certain point in time, I felt as though I had a breadth of knowledge that people were looking for. As you stated, I enjoy helping people, but I'm only one person. I can only take...

Olajumoke Fatoki (02:58.75)
absolutely.

Michael Morgan (03:12.126)
so many phone calls, so many Zoom calls, so many emails. So I felt as though if I put pen to paper and I put my advice and guidance in a book, I can get my knowledge out to masses. Same thing with, I'm doing more speaking engagements now for companies, for universities, for organizations, for conferences. It's a way for me to share my ideas with hundreds of people at a time as opposed to a one-on-one setting.

Olajumoke Fatoki (03:17.37)
Right.

Michael Morgan (03:42.094)
So it was a way for me to share my knowledge to help other people. And like I said, it's just been over the course of my career and journey. So many people have reached out to me. just figured at a certain point in time I have information that people are looking for, which really inspired me to actually write the book.

Olajumoke Fatoki (03:59.866)
Amazing. That's simply like having a piece of Michael in every home, right? Yeah. And I think that makes a lot of sense. That's the best way to actually, you know, bless the world with such a gift that you have. Thank you so much, Michael. so I'd like to take these even further. So, I, and I want you to share personal stories because that's one thing that we tend to connect with, you know,

Michael Morgan (04:01.922)
simply like having a

Exactly

Michael Morgan (04:18.83)
So I'd like to take this even further. And I want you to share personal stories because that's one thing that we tend to connect with.

Olajumoke Fatoki (04:27.673)
with our audience and it just helps to bring home some of those things. So was there a particular moment that you can think of in your career when networking played a transformative role for you?

Michael Morgan (04:29.666)
just helped to bring home some of those things. So was there a particular moment that you can think of in your career when networking played a transformative role for you? yeah, absolutely. I would say a huge moment for me was the transition from Chevron to Amazon. So when I was initially looking at opportunities at Amazon,

I realized a lot of my classmates from my MBA school at Carnegie Mellon University, they were also at Amazon. So rather than me just blindly applying to Amazon, and this is advice that I would give to anyone, if you know someone internally at a company that you're interested in that is willing to refer you, nine times out of 10, an internal referral will at least get you a phone screen with HR. If you just blindly apply on your own, you could be just another name in a hat.

Olajumoke Fatoki (05:03.837)
Hmm.

Michael Morgan (05:26.542)
with hundreds of candidates, most of these companies use some type of AI to even screen resumes and only a certain amount of resumes even get to HR. So if you have that internal referral, that opens up so many doors for you. I mean, luckily for me, I've been maintaining my network with my classmates, even though I went to work to Chevron for four or five years.

When I reached out to my classmates, wasn't as though I hadn't spoken to them in five years. I'd maintained that relationship over that time. I was able to get a referral, which helped me get my foot in the door at Amazon. And then every transition I did at Amazon was through my network. So I started off on the retail side and that was through the initial referral through my classmate. I switched from retail to Amazon Web Services. A woman that I used to work with

at Chevron, she also was working at Amazon Web Services. She made the transition to Amazon. And she reached out to me about an opportunity to transition to Amazon Web Services and take on a people manager role. And I jumped on that opportunity and the role wasn't even posted yet. So I was able to talk to the manager, the hiring manager, the skip level manager, all the leaders within that organization about a role that hadn't been posted. By the time it was posted, it was already my role.

Olajumoke Fatoki (06:49.245)
You

Imagine that.

Michael Morgan (06:53.72)
Yeah, the same thing. I transitioned to Amazon business. I had a mentor while I was at Amazon and you know, one of our regular touch bases, we were just having a discussion and he was talking about opportunities within Amazon business. He thought I was a great fit for a role in Amazon business. I was even looking for an opportunity in Amazon business, but he connected me with his manager and other leaders within the organization. It sounded like a great opportunity. I made the transition over Amazon business. So.

You know, when I worked at Amazon, I worked in three completely different functions. I worked in retail, I worked in Amazon business, I worked in Amazon web services. It wasn't as though I was going on to our internal portal and searching for roles and trying to figure out the next step for me and doing interviews. A lot of it was my network opening up doors for me to move around the company. So my network got my foot in the door at Amazon. My network helped me move around and navigate at Amazon. My network helped me...

complete the job at Amazon. There's a lot of times and you'll, people will see this throughout their career, you'll get asked to do something and you have no clue how to do it. And you could either figure it out on your own or if you have the right network, you can reach out to people who can either show you how to do it or at least point you in the right direction. So I think a lot of people have this mindset that networking helps you get the job and helps you, you know,

Olajumoke Fatoki (07:51.172)
You

Michael Morgan (08:16.704)
move up and get promoted, networking helps you get the job done. You still have to perform your job at a high level. And if you don't know the right people that can assist you and give you guidance when you're executing your role, it's going to hurt you to move forward. So I would say my experience at Amazon really, really showed me how the power of networking really comes into fruition.

Olajumoke Fatoki (08:33.853)
you

Olajumoke Fatoki (08:38.244)
Amazing, amazing. And just before I move on, I think I need to get into your network. So if there's an application process, I'm willing to go through that process. All right. So two things, you know, stood out for me, right, from your response. And the first one is the fact that you intentionally build, you know, your network. You mentioned that, you know, you still kept in touch with people from your school.

Michael Morgan (08:43.95)
So if it is an application process.

haha

So two things stood out for me, right, from your response. The first one is the fact that you intentionally build your network. Mention that you used to keep in touch with people from your school and all of that. And I think that's one key thing that I really want us to dive further into. How do people maintain these relationships? I'll give you an example. So recently, my college

Olajumoke Fatoki (09:08.495)
you know, and all of that. And I think that's one key thing that I really, you know, want us to deep dive further into. How do people maintain these relationships? I'll give you an example. So recently, my college, when I was in college, people that we were, you know, my college colleagues put together a group and decided reaching out to people, you know, for all of us to join and start something.

Michael Morgan (09:25.176)
When I was in college, my college colleagues put together a group and decided reaching out to people for us to join and start something. But that group has not been successful because it seems like people have moved on and were really unable to connect.

Olajumoke Fatoki (09:36.071)
But that group has not been successful because it seems like people have moved on and were really unable to connect. I don't know if in your case, you guys went down the route of creating a group to sort of maintain the relationship. But what are those things that you did to maintain that relationship such that you're able to leverage that relationship?

Michael Morgan (09:43.31)
I don't know if in your case you guys went down the route of creating a group to sort of maintain the relationship, but what are those things that you did to maintain that relationship such that you're able to leverage that relationship?

Michael Morgan (10:11.352)
which I know sounds a little weird. But for every company that I've worked at, the people that I've identified as critical, like director, VP level, people that I like mentors, people that I want to keep in my network, I've put them in a spreadsheet, maybe four or five people per company I've worked at. And I'll put their name, I'll put their email, I'll put specific information about that individual.

you know, where are they from? What school did they go to? Are they married? Who's their partner? are like, are the names of their kids? What are their hobbies? So this way I'm keeping track of how often I've reached out to that person through the spreadsheet. And when I realized I haven't spoken to that person in six months, I haven't spoken to that person in a year, that'll prompt me to either send them an email or give them a phone call. And when I send them an email, I can make it a tailored email.

I say, Hey Bob, how have you been? I know you love traveling. When was the last trip that you took? I know that you're a big runner. What was the last race that you ran? How are the kids? How's Bobby? How's Cindy? And I can make it very tailored and specific because I know that individual and having that spreadsheet that really helps me keep track and make sure that I'm maintaining relationships where I'm not letting four or five years pass before I reach out to this person again. I'm and everyone I treat differently.

Some people I may speak to weekly, some monthly, some quarterly, some annually. It really depends on the relationship with the person, but I'm making sure that years don't pass and I don't connect with them. Another tip that I do personally, I try to find opportunities where I have extra time available, and that's an opportunity for me to start reaching out to people. So as an example, I'll give you two examples.

I live in Austin, Texas right now, but before Austin I lived in the Bay Area. My commute to work, it was an hour and a half to go from Oakland to San Bruno and then an hour and a half to go back. And I'm on the the BART train. It's very congested. It's not easy for me to pull up a laptop and do work, but I saw it as an opportunity to network. So that was my time where I would open my phone. I would scroll through. I'm looking at

Michael Morgan (12:35.15)
my my directories they all have spoke to this person while let me give them a phone call have a small this personal while let me send a text message like like that's a good way for me to and i have i have nothing else but time i'm commuting to work so let me make most use of that time same thing i love to travel whether it's travel for for work travel for personal and when i go to the airport

I don't like to be stressed. I don't like the anxiety of showing up to the airport 30 minutes before my flight boards. So I'll get there an hour or two hours early and now I'm just sitting in the airport and I have free time. That's an opportunity for me to network. That's when I'm pulling up my phone and I'm giving people phone calls. I'm sending text messages. So I'm finding these different opportunities to connect with people. I love to leverage LinkedIn as well. And when I say LinkedIn, if someone...

Olajumoke Fatoki (13:13.853)
Hmm.

Michael Morgan (13:30.742)
I'm in my network posts that they just got a new certification, they just started a new job. I don't just click the like button. I'll send them a message on LinkedIn and I'll say, hey, congratulations. I just saw that you got a new job. I'm so happy for you. We haven't spoken in a while. Do you have any free time in the next few weeks? I'd love to connect either over a phone call or video chat. And I look at that as an opportunity for us to have that face-to-face interaction.

as opposed to just me liking a picture or liking a post. So finding those opportunities, I think that's very critical and that's great way to maintain connection. And I'd also say leverage technology as much as possible. Like I said, we have Slack, have LinkedIn, we have Google Meet, we have Zoom, we have our phones, we can call people, we can text people. In my opinion, nothing replaces that face-to-face interaction. So...

Whenever possible, people that live in the same city as me in Austin, I'll try to reach out and see if they want to grab lunch, grab coffee, grab dinner. If I'm traveling somewhere for work or for fun, I'm reaching out to people I know that live in that city and I'm trying to coordinate and say, hey, I'm in the city for the weekend. I'm in the city for the week. I'd love to catch up. In my opinion, nothing replaces that face-to-face interaction. So as much as possible, you know,

Like I said, leverage technology and reach out to people through your phone, through social media. But also try to have that face-to-face interaction where you're meeting with people and talking with them. Doesn't have to be over drinks. Like I said, you can meet people for coffee, you can meet people for water. I don't even drink coffee. I have coffee chats with people all the time. So I definitely recommend that face-to-face interaction when possible.

Olajumoke Fatoki (15:12.765)
Amazing.

Olajumoke Fatoki (15:19.645)
that is super powerful and you I love where you rested it's technology is amazing. You know, it provides us all of those opportunities to connect with people, but nothing replaces, you know, the face-to-face interaction. Like it's still as potent, it's still as powerful even in 2025. So yeah, thank you so much. And I love those tips that you also shared. Very useful, very.

Michael Morgan (15:46.657)
is very proud.

Olajumoke Fatoki (15:47.55)
Practical, know very easy to implement taking advantage of opportunities that you could have otherwise Maybe be watching movies and I'm not saying it's not good to watch movies You know, but depending on you know, what phase that you're in in your career if you're In the face where you know, you need to build quality relationships that can translate for you You want to take advantage of those?

Michael Morgan (15:50.926)
taking advantage of opportunities that you could have otherwise maybe watching movies. And I'm not saying it's not good to watch movies. You know, depending on what phase that you're in in your career, if you're in a phase where, you know, you need to build quality relationships that can translate for you. You want to take advantage of those.

Olajumoke Fatoki (16:17.513)
seemingly extra time that you have, you know, and use it to really connect with people just like Michael just explained. I had never seen it, you know, from that angle, like being intentional. Yeah, that's the one I was looking for. That's a level of intentionality, you know, taking advantage of your, the extra time that you have and to connect with people, to build great relationships, to be in their faces so that when, you know,

Michael Morgan (16:17.926)
Seemingly extra time that you have, you know, and use it to really connect with people just like Michael. I have never seen it, you know, from that angle, like being intentional. Yeah, that's the one I was looking for. That's a level of intentionality, you know, taking advantage of your extra time that you have.

to connect with people, build great relationships, to be in their faces so that when you need to leverage those relationships, the conversations are not awkward. Because it's been ongoing, so you can easily move things forward from there. I think that was a really powerful one. Thank you for sharing with us, Michael. Absolutely. So before we move forward, I want to adjust a few things.

Olajumoke Fatoki (16:45.81)
when you need to leverage those relationships, the conversations are not awkward. You know, because there's been, it's been ongoing, so you can easily move things forward from there. I think that was a really powerful one. Thank you for sharing with us, Michael. Thank you. All right. So before we move forward, I want to adjust a few things, then I'll come back with the next question. Thank you.

Olajumoke Fatoki (17:59.326)
So pardon me because of the technological issues that I said I heard, sort of forgot my, there's a tradition that we have on this podcast where we ask like an icebreaker question.

Michael Morgan (18:05.29)
of the technological issues that I said I had. I sort of forgot my, there's a tradition that we have on this podcast where we ask like an icebreaker question. And I think maybe because I'm also so pumped about this networking thing, I forgot to ask you that question. But now that I remember, we can take it since I can move things around in my editing, right?

Olajumoke Fatoki (18:20.667)
And I think maybe because I'm also so pumped about this networking thing, I forgot to ask you that question. But now that I remember, we can take it since I can move things around in my editing, right? So I can still have it. So we have a career related fun question that we ask at the beginning to help us ease into the conversation. Even though we already eased into this one, we are flowing already, but I'll still like to have it.

Michael Morgan (18:32.366)
So I can still have, so we have a career related fun question that we ask at the beginning to help us ease into the conversation. Even though we already eased into this one, we are flowing already, but I still like to have it, you just to have your own perspective on that. So the question is, if your career journey were to be a movie, what would the title be?

Olajumoke Fatoki (18:45.605)
You know, just to have your own perspective on that. the question is, if your career journey were to be a movie, what would the title be and why?

Michael Morgan (18:59.182)
The title would probably be On the Road Again. The reason why I'm pretty flexible and I'm willing to travel for work, I'm willing to move for different job opportunities. I'm originally from New York. I went to school in Pennsylvania for both undergrad and MBA. I worked for JP Morgan in Delaware. I worked for Chevron in Texas. I worked for Amazon in Washington.

worked for Walmart in California and now my job is fully remote and I've moved to Austin, Texas. Honestly, I'm at the point where when I tell family and friends like, I'm moving over here and they're like, okay. It's like, what's new? Like they're not even surprised at this point. And chances are Austin is probably not the last place that I will live. So the fact that I'm willing to...

Olajumoke Fatoki (19:48.124)
Alright.

Michael Morgan (19:58.456)
go outside of my comfort zone, live anywhere, whether it's in the US, I'm up for living overseas. If I could find the right expat opportunity, I would definitely take it. So I know a lot of people are willing to make that jump and they've kind of lived in the same city state that they were born and stayed there and there's nothing wrong with that. But I've...

I've been willing to take different jobs, move places I've never lived, never visited. Literally the first time, my first time interviewing with Chevron in Houston, it was my first time in Houston, then I moved to Houston. My first time visiting Seattle was when I interviewed with Amazon and then I moved to Seattle. So I'm pretty flexible and I'm excited to figure out where I'll land next, honestly.

Olajumoke Fatoki (20:40.562)
Well.

Olajumoke Fatoki (20:54.245)
It's safe to say you're an adventurous person.

Michael Morgan (20:57.58)
Yeah, definitely.

Olajumoke Fatoki (21:00.05)
And that's a really good thing, especially in the world that we live in today. You have to be adaptable, you have to be flexible, you have to be nimble. And I think that's a great thing you have working for you. And I hope that you get to visit Africa someday.

Michael Morgan (21:17.614)
That's a hope. I'm hoping to go there later this year, so...

Olajumoke Fatoki (21:21.853)
interested.

Michael Morgan (21:24.046)
Yeah, I'm getting married in three weeks and planning the honeymoon and the hope is for the honeymoon we'll travel across Africa, Europe and Asia. So we'll see.

Olajumoke Fatoki (21:27.335)
Whoa!

Olajumoke Fatoki (21:34.79)
Amazing amazing and congratulations. That's such a good news You're welcome I'm glad to hear that I love love Alright so thank you for sharing your career Journey, you know in and the movie title with us on the move. I love it Thank you. Alright, so

Michael Morgan (21:40.721)
Oh, thank you. I appreciate it.

Michael Morgan (21:48.477)
Hahaha.

Michael Morgan (21:53.216)
sharing your career journey.

title with us on the move.

Michael Morgan (22:02.104)
So.

Olajumoke Fatoki (22:04.669)
Let's talk about redefining networking. know, networking is often seen as daunting and overly transactional. How do you refine networking in your book to make it more authentic and impactful?

Michael Morgan (22:04.942)
Let's talk about redefining networking. know, networking is often seen as daunting and overly transactional. How do you refine networking in your book to make it more authentic?

Michael Morgan (22:21.966)
Yeah, so I'd say two things to that. The first one, I don't like this transactional notion that a lot of people have. When I'm building relationships with people, I'm getting to know them as individuals. Yes, the conversation comes up about work, obviously that does pop up, but work is what we do, it's not who we are.

Olajumoke Fatoki (22:32.082)
Yeah.

Olajumoke Fatoki (22:48.669)
Hmm.

Michael Morgan (22:48.876)
So when I'm networking with people, I'm getting to know them as individuals. Like I told you before, I'm getting to understand where are they from? Like what are their hobbies? What are their interests? What are their passions? Like, what are, like, let me learn more about your family. Do you have a significant other? Do you have a partner? Do you have kids? So I'm building genuine friendships with people. Like these are people that I've...

that invited me to their weddings. I plan to invite them to my wedding. Like, these are great relationships. These are not just people I reach out to when I want something. So I think people have to take that mindset, like you're building genuine friendships and relationships as opposed to transactions. I think that goes a long way. And then the second piece that I emphasize to people all the time, a lot of people when it comes to networking, they're just

asking for things all the time. So they'll go to a conference or like a networking event, they'll get someone's information, it's like, can you give me this? Can you refer me for a job? Can you review my resume? Can you do it? And it's like, I just met you and you're already asking for stuff. Like asking, asking, asking. When I meet someone new and I add them to my network, I'm trying to understand what I could do for them.

Networking is a two-way street. It's give and take and I'm emphasizing the give and it could be something small. can recommend a book. I could recommend a training course. I can provide them with a referral. I can help them with interview prep. I'll try to understand what they're looking for. And sometimes people just want to meet new people. Like, hey, I live in a new city. Sometimes I go to network event just because I'm trying to build a new network of people because I live in a new city.

And some people in my network, I never ask of anything. But if at some point in time I may need something, I don't feel as bad asking because it's the process of reciprocity where I know I've already done something for someone else. So I think if people have that mindset where trying to build genuine relationships, friendships, not trying to make it as transactional and make sure that

Michael Morgan (25:06.666)
If you do ask for something that is a give and take relationship and that you've provided something back, like a small example, I've helped a lot of people with interview prep at different companies, Amazon, Walmart, Chevron. And then people have been able to get jobs because of my assistance. They'll take me out for lunch. They'll ask me for my address. They'll mail me a gift. They'll be like, here's a gift card. Thank you for the time. Thank you for this.

Just finding a small way to give a gesture back to somebody so it doesn't just feel like you're only reaching out to me to use me for something or get something out of it and it goes both ways.

Olajumoke Fatoki (25:45.821)
Hmm.

was really critical. Like I love the way you were able to shed light on that. Cause I feel like that's one of the greatest challenge with networking when people feel like they are being used. So this is a great way to look at it. And you also said something that, was really profound. You said networking is a two way street.

and you even emphasizing the giving aspect of it, you so don't be at the receiving end. What are you also bringing to the table? I think that's really clear and our listeners, I believe can benefit a lot from that. And even myself, thank you so much for sharing that with us. All right, so moving on, I know we already spoke about this earlier, but just to, you know, contextualize it a bit more.

Michael Morgan (26:19.348)
are they receiving and what are you also bringing to the table? I think that's really clear and our listeners I believe can benefit a lot from that and even myself. Thank you so much.

sharing that with us. right, so moving on, I know we already spoke about this earlier, but just to contextualize it a bit more and also deep dive into it. So that's going to be my next question that in your own opinion, what are three actionable steps that professionals can start taking today to build and maintain meaningful networks?

Olajumoke Fatoki (26:43.16)
and also deep dive into it. So that's going to be my next question that in your own opinion, what are three actionable steps that professionals can start taking today to build and maintain meaningful networks? Three.

Michael Morgan (27:02.158)
Yeah? I'd say first and foremost you have to put yourself out there. I understand, I know some people are more extrinsic, some people are more intrinsic, but if you're not willing to put yourself in situations where you can meet new people and build your network, it's going to be difficult to make new connections. So whether that's within your company, within your company there are, most companies have employee resource groups.

So it'll be a black employee network, a women's network, Asian network. You can join these different employee resource groups as a way to meet different people within the company. Or if you're in a work meeting and you recognize somebody that you haven't seen before, you haven't really had a chance to speak with, feel free to reach out to them after the meeting. Like, hey, I haven't seen you a lot of meeting before. We'd love to speak with you further, get our understanding of what your role is, how we can help one another.

looking for mentors internally at work. Some companies have formal mentor programs you can sign up for. Sometimes you have to organically find mentors. But I would say first and foremost, you have to put yourself out there externally, outside of work. can join organizations. I can example, in Austin, I'm a part of the National Black MBA Association in Austin. I'm a part of an organization called Cyversity, which tries to get more diversity in cybersecurity.

now that I work in the cybersecurity industry. So I've joined external organizations outside of my job. I'm in internal organizations in my job. I go to conferences. So I'm always finding opportunities to meet new people and add them to my network. So I'd say number one, put yourself out there. I would say number two, the thing I discussed earlier, make sure you're maintaining those connections. It's very easy to...

to build and make a new connection is difficult to maintain it. So make sure that you have that mindset. Like once I make a new connection based off the relationship with the person, how often should I reach out to them? What should be the cadence? Is it going to be quarterly? Is it going to be every six months? Is it going to be annually? Am I going to try to give them a phone call? Am I going to shoot them an email? Am I going to try to meet them in person if they live in the same city as me?

Michael Morgan (29:20.834)
But make sure that you have a plan so that you're maintaining that relationship so that it doesn't just fall off. The last thing you want is to make a new connection. You don't talk to them for five years. All of a sudden you need something and now you're reaching out to someone that you haven't spoke to in five years. That's, to your point, it's going to burn a bridge. That's not good networking. So number one, put yourself out there to meet people. Number two, be intentional to maintain those connections. And number three,

Like I said, find ways to identify how you can add value to other people. Like I said, it could be you helping them with resume reviews, you sending them news articles, you recommending books, you providing them with job referrals. It could just be you just taking them out to lunch. You'd be surprised how many people are excited when I invite them to lunch. I think we have this mentality where we just work through lunch now where...

people bring in lunch from home or people will leave their desk grab lunch in the cafeteria or from a nearby restaurant food truck bring it right back to their desk and just keep working when i put put a lunch on someone's calendar though i my god i'm taking our lunch i'm leaving the office and i'm going to have a conversation in and build a relationship like those are

Olajumoke Fatoki (30:31.046)
Yeah.

Olajumoke Fatoki (30:37.817)
Yeah.

Michael Morgan (30:46.958)
Those are like little things that you can do that are really intentional. So like I said, it doesn't have to be big gestures. Like you have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars to find ways to give back. It's just a matter of giving your time. So I say those are the top three things. One, put yourself out there. Two, be intentional so that you can maintain the connection. And three, just find, identify ways that you can give because networking is a two-way street.

And I always like to emphasize the give part. And those ways, those three ways can really help. Those are action steps that people can take today to really start building and maintaining their network.

Olajumoke Fatoki (31:26.247)
Beautiful and there you have it listeners three actionable steps like if you put those three steps to use to work I am sure that you would get results, you know, just like Michael has and just like I have also experienced in my career, you know Networking is is an action word You know, it comes with a lot of doing but people tend to misunderstand it's the thing that it's a way of getting it's actually more

Michael Morgan (31:31.918)
Three, step.

Michael Morgan (31:37.41)
you know, just like Michael has and just like I have also experienced in my career, know, networking is an action word. You know, it comes with a lot of doing, but people tend to misunderstand it to think that it's a way of getting, it's actually more, you know, about giving and, you know, thank you for sharing that with us.

Olajumoke Fatoki (31:55.346)
you know, about giving and, you know, thank you for sharing that with us, Micah. All right. So we'll move to the next question.

Michael Morgan (32:02.84)
So we'll move to the next question.

Olajumoke Fatoki (32:10.181)
All right, so this would be focused on the lessons that you've learned from the top organizations. I couldn't but smile while looking at your profile like, wow, what a journey. You've worked at Amazon, Walmart, JP Morgan Chase, Chevron, and you've shared with us on this conversation today how you've been able to navigate all of those. But specifically, how did networking shape

Michael Morgan (32:10.508)
All right, so this would be focused on the lessons that you've learned from the top organizations. I couldn't but smile while looking at your profile like, wow, what a journey. You've worked at Amazon, Walmart, JP Morgan Chase, Chevron, and you've shared with us on this conversation today how you've been able to navigate all of those.

Specifically, how did networking shape those journeys for you and aid those transitions across those competitive environments?

Olajumoke Fatoki (32:39.985)
those journeys for you and aid those transitions across those competitive environments.

Michael Morgan (33:07.042)
can have them assist me and provide referrals, help me get my foot in the door. Because it's not always what you know, it's who you know. And knowing people internally make a huge difference. So at every company that I've worked at, it's been my relationships, my connections that helped me get my foot in the door. It's been my network to help me execute my job at a high level. It's been my network to help me get to the next level. If a lot of people have this misconception where they think if they just put their heads down and work hard,

They'll naturally get promoted over time. If the senior leadership doesn't know who you are and the value that you bring to the table, you will get overlooked. You need to network vertically, not just with your manager, with all the leaders in your company. You could be in an organization of 400 people. There might be 10 leaders in a room deciding where to rank those 400 people and who's getting promoted and who's not getting promoted. And sometimes your manager is not in the room.

So you can't just depend on your manager helping you get to that next level in your career. I mean, networking has been huge for me. And then, like I said, on top of the fact that I've tried to navigate careers at different companies, different industries, I've moved to completely new city states where I didn't know anybody. So I had to start from scratch. I had to build my networking at my company. I had to build my network in that new city.

So, I if I wasn't able to do so, I don't think I would have been able to thrive in all these different moves. I have people in my network that have tried to move to a new city, new state, new country. They may have lasted a couple of months and moved right back home. And they said it was tough for them. But my ability to network has allowed me to thrive in different cities, different states. And I know I'm at the point in my career where I can thrive anywhere, literally throw me anywhere on the planet.

I'm going to fit in. yeah, networking has been really huge for me.

Olajumoke Fatoki (35:09.827)
Amazing. Just a follow up question on that. Is there any chance that mentoring plays a role in this? there any relationship?

Michael Morgan (35:18.51)
any relationship? yes absolutely. Mentoring is huge. So I'm at a point in my career where I have enough work experience where I also mentor people but regardless of where I am in my career I'm always looking for mentors. So there's always someone who's worked at the company longer than me and understands how to navigate the particular company. There's always somebody who's been in that industry longer than me.

Like I said, I'm in, I work in cyber security now. I've been in cyber security for two years. I'm not an expert in cyber security. But I joined that organization, Cyversity that I told you about, and they connected me with a mentor who's been in cyber security for 20 years. And now I'm able to pick their brain. You know, I have mentors at my company now that have been at the company longer than me. My company's been around for 14 years. I've been at the company for two years. So I'm reaching out to people who've been at the company longer and

Olajumoke Fatoki (36:00.637)
Amazing.

Michael Morgan (36:14.006)
may understand some things that I don't. There's always going to be someone who's more knowledgeable, whether it's in the company, in the industry, in your function. So, you know, there's no need for you to have the same pitfalls, make the same mistakes that someone else may have already had and they can help you avoid it. So don't be afraid to ask for mentors. Like I said, a lot of companies have formal mentorship programs where you can just fill out a profile.

list what your strengths are, what your areas of opportunity are, list what you're looking for, and they'll naturally pair you with someone. But even if there's not a formal program, I try to find different opportunities, whether it's through an organization I'm a part of, or just reaching out to someone within my company, someone that I look at as, I want to be in their position in the next five years, 10 years. Let me see if they have interest and capacity in being my mentor.

The worst thing you say is no. But from my experience, most people are flattered. As long as they have the time, they're willing to invest in you. And then them investing in someone, developing someone at the company, it only benefits them. They want the company to thrive. The better the company does, the better it is for them in their pockets. So most of the time, people are willing to mentor. The only pushback I had a few times is people just don't have the time and capacity.

Olajumoke Fatoki (37:18.971)
Yeah.

Michael Morgan (37:41.944)
But I mean, won't know unless you ask. But mentorship is critical. whenever possible, I strongly recommend people try to identify mentors that can help them in their journeys.

Olajumoke Fatoki (37:52.88)
amazing and you know, as you were speaking, I saw a relationship between networking and mentoring. It's the same, it's almost the same principle. Like the way we talked about the fact that when you're trying to connect with people, you have to be consistent. You have to not make it one way. It has to be a two way street and all that. I feel like the same.

Michael Morgan (38:01.742)
It's almost the same principle, like the way we talked about the fact that when you're trying to...

Michael Morgan (38:09.706)
you have to not make it one way. It has to be a two-way street and all that. I feel like the same principle applies to mentoring. If you're reaching out to people to say, can you mentor me on this?

Olajumoke Fatoki (38:17.457)
you know, principle applies to mentoring. If you're reaching out to people to say, Hey, can you mentor me on this? Then you must also, you know, bring something to the table. either your own presence, you know, your willingness to learn, because really I found out that you can really take from people, you know, the amount that you're willing to get from them to the much that you are willing to learn, you know,

Michael Morgan (38:24.93)
You must also bring something to the table, either your own presence, your willingness to learn. Because really, I found out that you can really take from people the amount that you're willing to get from them to the much that you're willing to learn. That's how much you can draw from people. If you come really empty and ready to learn, you're going to learn a lot.

Olajumoke Fatoki (38:45.702)
That's how much you can draw from people. If you come really empty and ready to learn, you're going to learn a lot. But if you come already full, you know, there's probably nothing you can learn from them. So it's really dependent on you as an individual, you know, than the person you're reaching out to. So that's just the bit that I felt to add to the mentoring conversation. So thank you.

Michael Morgan (38:52.75)
come already for. There's probably nothing you can learn from them. it's really dependent on you as an individual, the person you're reaching out to. So that's just the piece that I felt to add to the mentoring conversation. So thank you. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, so I also love to check in with my

Olajumoke Fatoki (39:14.973)
All right. Yeah. So I also love to check in with my guests. So how do you find this conversation so far?

Michael Morgan (39:20.382)
So how do you find this conversation so far?

Olajumoke Fatoki (39:27.655)
Can you hear me? Yeah.

Michael Morgan (39:28.078)
yeah, I mean this conversation's been fantastic. I feel like it's flowing very well.

Olajumoke Fatoki (39:35.204)
Awesome. All right. Good to know that All right. So let's talk a little about inspiration. I mean your profile is it's Inspirational speaking with you as well. You've been able to deep dive into you know, some of those concepts very enlightening very Insightful so far for me. Thank you so Let's talk about your book

Michael Morgan (39:39.608)
So let's talk a little about inspiration. I mean, your profile is inspirational. Speaking with you as well, you've been able to dive into some of those concepts. Very enlightening, very insightful so far for me. Thank you. So.

Let's talk about your book. What do you hope readers will take away from the power of networking? And how do you think they can use networking not only to advance their careers, but to also make a positive impact on others? Yeah, I'd say the biggest thing I want people to take away is that life is a journey and everyone's journey is different.

Olajumoke Fatoki (40:03.761)
What do you hope readers will take away from the power of networking and how do you think they can use networking not only to advance their careers, but to also make a positive impact on others?

Michael Morgan (40:28.342)
My path was different than your path. It's different than the next person's path. I think a lot of times that people look at the end goal, I want to get to people manager role. I want to get to director. I want to get to VP. And it's good to set goals. And I talk about goal setting and achieving your goals and how to get there in my book as well. But it's a journey. It's a process. It takes time.

You're not going to become a people manager overnight. You're not going to become a director overnight. You have to put that work in. first and foremost, networking is critical. Like it's critical. First and foremost, you have to do your job. So a lot of times people are already looking onto the next thing, the next title, the next move. Like you have to execute your role and be a top performer. And that way that can set the path for you to access those opportunities where you can...

get promoted or where can take on people manager roles, where you can do these different things. So, you know, I hope that people understand that it's a journey, it takes time, you have to put the work in. One of things I talk about all the time, like be a master in your craft. There's a book called Mastery, and there's two books, there's one called Mastery and one's called Outliers. But both of them talk about in order to be a master in your craft, it takes 10,000 hours of work.

10,000 hours of work. People assume that if you make it to the professionals, you're an NBA player or NFL player or you get to director, you get to VP, that these things just happen. But no, people put the work in. They put the work into their craft. They put the work into networking. And that's helped them get there. So if you have goals, aspirations, you can easily get there.

Make sure that you're writing down your goals. Make sure you have accountability partners that can hold you accountable to the goals that you're setting. Make sure you're leveraging your network to assist you, guide you, support you. Put that work in. And as long as you're willing to roll up your sleeves and put in the work, you can achieve anything that you set your mind to. So I'd say that's probably the biggest thing I'd want people to take away from my book.

Olajumoke Fatoki (42:44.846)
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Thank you so much. You got to put in the work. You know, there is the work aspect of it. People love the, the ambience, the everything else that comes with it, but there is the putting in the work, you know, and thank you for emphasizing that. All right. So that brings us to the end of the call conversation today. But before you go, we have two rapid power questions that we'd like to hear from you.

Michael Morgan (43:01.577)
Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready to go. Let's do it.

Olajumoke Fatoki (43:14.417)
Are you ready? All right. Yeah. So these are just quick, engaging questions to end, you know, our session on a high note. So networking tip, what's one networking rule that you live by that Michael lives by?

Michael Morgan (43:25.146)
What's one networking rule that you live by?

Olajumoke Fatoki (43:42.095)
Awesome. If you could network with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?

Michael Morgan (43:43.51)
If you could network with anyone.

Michael Morgan (43:51.566)
Number one popping out to me right now is Barack Obama. mean, to get to the point where you're president of the country, I mean, that's the highest profile role that you can be. And then to be black and be the face of the country, it's impressive, the first person to do it. So I would love to network with them and just ask questions and try to learn from his knowledge and tutelage.

Olajumoke Fatoki (43:55.261)
Mmm.

Michael Morgan (44:21.07)
So yeah, definitely Obama.

Olajumoke Fatoki (44:24.835)
Amazing. I'm tempted to ask you the last one. What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Michael Morgan (44:28.974)
What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Best career advice? You own your career. I think a lot of people like to put their career in their manager's hands and if things aren't working out the way that they had hoped, they're kind of putting the blame on their manager and your manager is your biggest advocate. They're supposed to be guiding you. Like your manager plays a big role but end of the day it's your career. So if you're not

getting the opportunities that you're seeking, if you don't feel like you're getting the right support, maybe it's time for you to look at other roles internally at that company, or maybe it's time for you to look externally. I know a lot of people get comfortable in their roles and they don't like change, but if you're not seeing the career progression that you're looking for, you have to take your career in your own hands and find those opportunities. So I would say that's critical. You own your career. Don't depend on other people to manage your career for you.

Olajumoke Fatoki (45:32.516)
Wow. What an insightful conversation and what a way to end, you know, to bring this session to an end. A huge thank you to Michael Morgan for sharing your wealth of wisdom and practical strategies on networking. You know, I love how you particularly emphasize the importance of building relationships over transactions and, you know, the emphasis on staying authentic also, you know, in our approach. Thank you so much.

Michael Morgan (45:35.374)
and what a way to end, bring this session to an end. A huge thank you to Michael Morgan for sharing your wealth of wisdom and practical strategies on networking.

I love how you particularly emphasize the importance of building relationships over transactions and the emphasis on staying authentic also in our approach. Thank you so much. I know that our audience, our listeners would love to connect with you. So how can they find you? How can they get copies of your book? Do you want to tell us more about that? Yes. You can reach out to me in multiple different ways. I have my own website. It's michaelvmorgan.com.

Olajumoke Fatoki (46:00.573)
I know that our audience, our listeners would love to connect with you. So how can they find you? How can they get copies of your book? Do you want to tell us more about that?

Michael Morgan (46:17.936)
That's V is in Victor Michael V Morgan. So feel free to go on my website I have links on there to get the book. I also have a contact form where you can send me a message and it'll go directly to my email I'm on LinkedIn. So Michael V Morgan on LinkedIn. I'm on Instagram Michael dot V dot Morgan on Instagram So feel free to reach out to me through any of those channels. Like I said, I'm here to help So if you you shoot me a message shoot me an email

going to respond and help you out wherever I can. And then for my book, it's available on all platforms. If you're looking for the paperback, the paperback is available on Amazon. If you're looking for the audio book, it's on Spotify, it's on Audible. If you're looking for the e-book, it's on Barnes and Novels, it's on Kindle. So whatever format you like, I have it. So.

Olajumoke Fatoki (47:09.553)
Amazing. See, I was right. I was right when I said, you know, we have a piece of Michael in every home. Oh, that's, that's fun. That's, that's, that's huge. Thank you so much for that, you know, quality investments in helping people get better. All right. So thank you so much. We've come to the end of today's episode. And just before you go, I,

Michael Morgan (47:17.22)
Exactly.

Michael Morgan (47:29.87)
Thank you so much, we've come to the end of today's episode. And just before you go, I almost forgot that. What are your last words for our listeners, My last words? Like I said, I'm here to help. I want to see everyone be successful. There's enough opportunities for everybody. We can all thrive. So whatever I can do to help people in their career journeys.

Olajumoke Fatoki (47:35.345)
we go I almost forgot that what are your last words for our listeners Michael

Michael Morgan (47:56.152)
Feel free to reach out to me. I want to see everyone be successful. I'm trying to pay it forward. I want to be where I am in my career if people didn't assist me and guide me when I had questions. So anything I could do to assist people, feel free to reach out.

Olajumoke Fatoki (48:10.461)
Amazing and there you have it listeners. We cannot thrive, know, which is one thing we stand for on this podcast Thank you for bringing that home, you know Michael so guys if you've enjoyed today's episode Please subscribe to the thrive careers podcast and be sure to leave us a review It helps to bring more valuable content to listeners like you and don't forget to share this episode with friends or colleagues who could benefit from this insight

Michael Morgan (48:15.096)
You know, it is one thing we stand for on this.

Thank you for bringing that home, Michael. So guys, if you've enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe to the Thrive Carriers podcast and be sure to leave us a review. It helps to bring more valuable content to listeners like you. And don't forget to share this episode with friends or colleagues who could benefit from this insight. And until I come your way again next time, stay thriving. All right. Thank you so much, Michael, for an insight.

Olajumoke Fatoki (48:38.078)
And until I come your way again next time, stay thriving. All right. Thank you so much, Michael, for an insightful episode. I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I enjoyed the conversation. I'm glad that we could pull this off and thank you for that access to you. Let me let you know that I am also going to come into your DM.

Michael Morgan (48:50.728)
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I enjoyed the conversation. I'm glad that we could pull this off and thank you for that access to you. Let me you know that I am also going to come into your DM because I see we have a lot of things in common and I'd love to take this relationship beyond this one time.

Olajumoke Fatoki (49:06.353)
because I see we have a lot of things in common and I'd love to take this relationship beyond, you know, this one time showing up on the show. And also to let you know that you're not just going to be a guest on this show, you're going to come more. It's not just going to be a one time thing. And thank you. Of course, if you're willing to come again, would love very much to have you. This has been very insightful, very knowledgeable. Thank you.

Michael Morgan (49:13.358)
And also to let you know that you're not just going to be a guest on this show, you're going to come more. It's not just going to be a one time thing. And thank you. Of course, if you're willing to come again, we'd love very much to have you.

This has been very insightful, very knowledgeable. Thank you. All right. So that brings us to the end. so next steps is I'll send you an email detailing how we sort of go from here, the possible release date, the estimated release date rather. And if I need anything from you, I'll reach out via email if you also have anything you would like for me to impute.



Michael Morgan (50:36.438)
Enjoy the rest of your day. All right, you did the same. Bye. All right, bye.

Olajumoke Fatoki (50:40.092)
Bye.