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Networking, soft skills, business connections, second-degree network
How to reach your “second circle” of contacts without awkwardness or pressure
A subtle yet honest tactic that helps you expand your network in a healthy and effective way
Your “second circle” of contacts is no less important than direct acquaintances—the only question is how to approach it.
There are people you can’t reach directly. Not because they’re “stars,” but because the flow of requests to them is too big. But there’s always a second circle nearby—acquaintances, colleagues, friends who can become a bridge.
How do you work with them in a human, respectful way?
How do you work with them in a human, respectful way?
A simple, honest tactic that helps you expand your network in a human way—without manipulation or the feeling that you’re “punching above your weight.”
Don’t ask.
First, don’t start the conversation with a request. People in your second circle don’t like feeling that they’re being used as a stepping stone. Start by giving value: share an observation, a small insight, a case. Show that you didn’t come to “take,” you came to get acquainted.
Keep calm, just keep calm.
Secondly, stay calm and don’t drag a tail of expectations behind you. People can sense when someone is putting a “you’re useful to me” label on them. Your task is tension‑free communication. That always wins.
But what exactly?
Third, be specific. Phrases like “I’d like to meet someone from your industry” don’t mean anything to anyone. But a phrase like “it would be helpful for me to meet someone who is responsible for partner marketing at companies X/Y/Z” is clear and feels safe.
Don’t ask for “access.”
And the key thing. You don’t come to your second circle for “access.” You come to them for a conversation. Only when the conversation becomes warm and natural can you calmly ask: “Is there anyone for whom this might also be helpful?”
That’s when the bridge is built easily—without pressure, without awkwardness, and most importantly, in a healthy way.
That’s how real networking begins, not an attempt to “leap over” people into someone else’s circle.
That’s how real networking begins, not an attempt to “leap over” people into someone else’s circle.
If you want to build these kinds of connections systematically, join the corporate Corporate Networking training.
And for senior executives, we have a separate program, “C‑Level Sales: Selling Through Trust and Influence” — focused on building strategic relationships with complex and hard‑to‑reach top‑level executives.
And for senior executives, we have a separate program, “C‑Level Sales: Selling Through Trust and Influence” — focused on building strategic relationships with complex and hard‑to‑reach top‑level executives.
Leonid Bugaev
is an expert in business communications, a corporate trainer, speaker, and conference moderator. He is the author of the books “Mobile Marketing”, “Mobile Networking” and "People Like Me: 99 Rules for Building Connections That Actually Matter."
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
Follow Leonid on Telegram, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube so you don’t miss new publications. Also take a look at his business training programs on networking, B2B sales and trendwatching, as well as his books and interviews.
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