Alone No More: Why Your Network Is Your Net Worth in 2026

🚨 REAL TALK: Your talent alone won't get you to the next level. Your NETWORK will. 🚨

Nobody—and I mean NOBODY—makes it out here alone. Maya Angelou said it. The research proves it. And after 24+ years in HR leadership, I've seen it play out over and over again.
But here's the problem: most networking advice wasn't designed for US. It assumes you have access to the golf courses, the alumni networks, the "my dad knows someone" connections.

Today, we're changing that. 💪🏾

In Episode 73 of Rise & Thrive, I'm breaking down Chapter 3 of my book—Building Your Strategic Network—and giving you a completely different playbook for creating connections that actually ACCELERATE your career.
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✨ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:
🔥 The 3-Circle Network Framework—who you ACTUALLY need in your corner (hint: it's not 500 LinkedIn connections)
🔥 Why your Inner Circle should be 3-5 people MAX and how to identify them
🔥 Real scenarios of how networks make or break careers during reorgs and promotions
🔥 How to build strategically when you're exhausted, introverted, or DONE with small talk
🔥 The "Warm Reconnection" strategy that takes 10 minutes but pays dividends all year
🔥 Why being a CONNECTOR (not just a collector) changes everything

📬 WANT MORE INSIGHTS LIKE THIS? Subscribe to The Blackmon Brief—my FREE weekly newsletter delivering leadership strategies, career insights, and empowerment directly to your inbox! 👉 https://adept-solutions-llc-2.kit.com...

📚 TAKE IT DEEPER: Ready to transform these insights into lasting change?
📋 Get Your FREE Shield Resilience Strategy Guide: https://adept-solutions-llc-2.kit.com...
📖 Grab the Complete Blueprint: "Rise & Thrive: A Black Woman's Blueprint for Leadership Excellence": https://adept-solutions-llc-2.kit.com...
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🔗 CONNECT WITH ME:
🌐 Website: https://cheblackmon.com
📧 Email: admin@cheblackmon.com
💼 LinkedIn:   / che-blackmon-7a8995305  
📸 Instagram:   / empoweredworkplace  
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🎵 Intro & outro music by dDHutch of Magningen
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💬 YOUR TURN: Drop a comment below—who is ONE person in your network you've been meaning to reconnect with? What's been stopping you? Let's hold each other accountable! 👇🏾
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📌 ABOUT THIS SERIES: Rise & Thrive drops every Wednesday specifically for Black women navigating leadership and professional spaces. This isn't motivation—it's STRATEGY. Real talk. Actionable frameworks.
🎙️ Want more? Check out my Unlock, Empower, Transform podcast every Tuesday & Thursday for High-Value Leadership content for all professionals!
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⏰ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The Network Reality Check 2:30 - Chapter 3: Maya Angelou's Truth 5:00 - The 3-Circle Network Framework 12:00 - Real Career Scenarios 17:00 - Why This Matters in 2026 21:00 - Strategies for the Exhausted Professional 26:00 - High-Value Leadership Connection 28:00 - Your Action Step + Wrap-Up
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