In this episode of The Real Leadership Podcast, I sit down with Patrick Stafford-Smith, CEO of the North Vancouver Chamber, to talk about something that’s often misunderstood and for many, uncomfortable: networking. Patrick and I both used to be a bit skeptical about networking. We didn’t see the point at first, and like many people, we weren’t exactly eager to dive into it. That awkward feeling in a crowded room, the pressure to “work the room,” or the idea that networking means selling yourself. But over time, we’ve come to see networking differently and in this conversation, we unpack how that shift happened. We talk about the power of being authentic, the importance of timing, and why networking should start with two goals: to learn and to help. If you’re a seasoned connector or someone who dreads small talk, there’s something here for you. Let’s talk about the truth behind networking and how to make it work in a way that feels real.