Business leaders networking in a cafe. Networking on LinkedIn may seem easy for executives, but growing and maintaining genuine relationships is more of a challenge. Many executives feel completely alone despite having hundreds of digital connections. Professional isolation isn’t just an emotional challenge for executives; it also affects their performance. Thomas Saporito, CEO of the management consulting firm RHR International, wrote via the Harvard Business Review that 70% of new CEOs report loneliness in their roles. The impact of isolation on leadership is significant. A Deloitte survey in 2015 revealed 77% of professionals experience burnout due to a lack of support. A study by British scholars in 2023, published by Occupational Medicine, shows that feeling lonely at work has a direct impact on job performance and satisfaction, along with team relationships. While many executives recognize these challenges, traditional networking methods often fail to solve them. What’s needed isn’t more networking but a fundamentally different approach to building professional relationships. This offers a case where executives should consider strategies that are already effective in the entertainment industry. Networking To Build Long-Term Relationships MORE FOR YOU Samsung Confirms Galaxy ‘Kill Switch’—This Changes Android Microsoft Confirms Password Deletion—Now Just 8 Weeks Away Everything To Know About ‘Stranger Things’ Season 5 Actors work in similar high-stakes environments, but their approach to networking provides valuable lessons for business leaders. Actors don’t just network for immediate benefits but also invest in relationships that become beneficial throughout their careers. They know that the production assistant they work with today might become a director tomorrow. At Southwest Airlines, Herb Kelleher’s leadership looked beyond job titles, as he was known for treating each employee with equal respect and genuine curiosity. Like actors who understand the potential in every interaction, Kelleher saw the value in every individual. "I don't think you can be an effective actor if you're not curious about people and events," Meryl Streep said during a speech at the University of Texas, according to Cosmopolitan. Besides relationship-building, actors study the behaviors, motivations, and communication styles of everyone they meet, which they later use in their craft. Leaders who network with this curiosity will also gain insights they can incorporate into their leadership styles. Try Classes And Workshops Where You Meet Like-Minded Professionals Actors understand that location matters as much as the approach. Research published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that face-to-face requests are 34 times more successful than email. While executives often attend online events, actors tend to network through in-person classes and on-set experiences. Finding a variety of environments for networking will allow you to be both professional and authentic. Try these actor-inspired tactics for more meaningful conversations and connections: Observe with purpose: Like actors preparing for roles, see each interaction as a chance to study effective (and ineffective) behaviors. Memorize meaningful details: Note personal facts for new contacts and bring them up in future conversations, showing you value the relationship and what they have to say. Focus on listening: Instead of planning your next response or trying to sound interesting, truly listen to what others are saying. Doing this will take pressure off you and allow you to find things in common. Seek informal settings: There's a reason for the saying that more deals happen on the golf course than anywhere else—casual environments open up opportunities for real and honest conversations. Consider joining a cooking class, signing up for improv workshops, or volunteering to connect with others without the pressure of your professional role. When you network through shared interests, conversations flow more naturally, and relationships develop without the need for forced tactics. The most powerful relationships often begin when you're not trying to network at all, which is precisely what actors have been doing all along. Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions