Tea With Starrlee Vol 12: 🌉 Crossing Bridges: Lessons from Vancouver... LinkedIn Networking

Last week in Vancouver, I found myself crossing a lot of bridges. Some were sturdy, familiar, and comforting. Others… like the Capilano Suspension Bridge, swayed with every step, reminding me that courage, patience, and trust are needed to reach the other side.

It got me thinking: networking on LinkedIn is exactly like that. Every connection request, every message, every “hello” is a step onto a bridge. Sometimes it feels steady. Sometimes it shakes under your feet. And sometimes, people just don’t cross—and that’s okay.

Here’s what my bridge-hopping taught me about meaningful networking:

1️⃣ The First Step Takes Courage

Suspension bridges can feel terrifying at first—the drop below, the swaying beneath your feet. Sending a LinkedIn message can feel the same. But nothing happens until you step forward.

2️⃣ Fear Holds People Back Some people freeze mid-bridge.

Fear of falling, fear of the unknown. On LinkedIn, fear shows up as hesitation: “What if they don’t reply?” “What if I annoy them?” Fear keeps us from opportunities—but staying on the shore guarantees nothing.

3️⃣ Patience is Everything.

You can’t sprint across a wobbly suspension bridge. Every step requires balance. Networking works the same way. Aggressive follow-ups or excessive messages shake the connection. Slow, steady, thoughtful outreach builds trust—and makes the bridge worth crossing.

4️⃣ Not Everyone Will Cross With You.

Some pause, some turn back, some simply never step on the bridge. That’s okay. Not every message leads to a conversation, and not every connection turns into a relationship. Respecting that makes the ones who do cross even more valuable.

5️⃣ Every Bridge Has a Reward on the Other Side

Every bridge I crossed in Vancouver offered a view, a new perspective, or a path I hadn’t explored. Every authentic LinkedIn outreach can do the same—leading to conversations, collaborations, or opportunities that expand your world in ways you didn’t expect. ⸻

🌟 The Takeaway

Networking isn’t about sending messages—it’s about building bridges. Strong, steady, respectful bridges. Bridges worth crossing. Some will sway, some will hold, some people won’t cross—and that’s okay.

Take the first step. Be patient. Respect the journey. The view on the other side is worth it. ⸻

💬 What’s the most meaningful “bridge” you’ve crossed recently—online or in real life?

#Networking #LinkedInTips #RelationshipBuilding #CareerGrowth #Opportunities #MindfulNetworking