Pat Hedley is an advisor, investor, TedX speaker, and author. After a three-decade career in global private equity with General Atlantic, Pat now acts as an independent advisor and investor on innovation and growth for businesses. She selectively takes on advisory and board assignments to help CEOs turn strategy into results. Through her book, Meet 100 People: A How-to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone's Missing, Pat provides inspiration and practical advice on building a network now.

Today, Pat shares the most important lessons she learned in her career and why building a network is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself. She highlights why having a diverse mix of people in your network is essential and provides practical tips for anyone that struggles to find the time to network. Pat reveals her three ‘Cs’ of networking and recalls the incredible experience she had building her first network. Pat also shares the importance of asking for what you want and the two things you need to consider when making career decisions.

“One of the most important parts of networking is being very thoughtful about making it diverse.” - Pat Hedley

This week on The Unwritten Rules Podcast:

• The entrepreneurship inspiration in Pat’s early life
• The most important thing that Pat learned early in her career
• Why the word ‘no’ doesn’t always have to be the end of the conversation
• The lessons Pat learned about the value of building a network
• Why Pat chose to write her book, Meet 100 people
• Why it’s essential to have a diverse mix of people in your network
• How you can make time for networking
• Consistency versus intensity
• The three Cs of networking
• Pat’s wonderful experience when she began networking
• Why it’s essential to ask for what you want
• An unwritten rule that Pat learned in her career
• The two aspects to think about when making career decisions

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

Our Favorite Quotes:

• “If you ask the right questions and if you are a good listener, there are ways to really benefit from those conversations.” - Pat Hedley
• “In a business setting, when someone says that scary little word ‘no,’ it doesn’t have to be the end of the conversation” - Pat Hedley
• “You should diversify your network as much as possible.” - Pat Hedley

Connect with Pat Hedley:

• Meet 100 People Website
• Meet 100 People on Instagram
• Pat Hedley on LinkedIn
• Book: Meet 100 People: A How-to Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone's Missing
• Pat Hedley on Twitter

Writing the Rules of Women Leadership

Thanks for tuning into today’s episode of The Unwritten Rules with your host, Helen Appleby. If you enjoyed this episode, please head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe and leave a rating and review.

Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn and share your favorite episodes across social media. And for even more great content, insight, and inspiration on women’s leadership, visit our website.

While you’re there, be sure to grab your free gift - the first chapter of my latest book, The Unwritten Rules of Women’s Leadership, is available to hear for free on my website. Visit www.theunwrittenrules.com to listen today.