[Read time: 3.5 minutes]
We’ve all heard the saying: "Your network is your net worth."
Sounds nice. Rolls off the tongue. And it’s wrong.
Most business owners collect connections like Pokémon cards — hoping that, someday, they’ll have the right one when they need it.
But a random inventory of people doesn’t create leverage. A well-designed network does.
Here’s the reframe I’m realizing to be more powerful that conventional wisdom:
Stop trying to collect a "network." Start engineering one with specificity.
How to Engineer a High-Leverage Network
Instead of hoarding weak connections, create an intentional network where every relationship serves a role.
Consider these 5 sub-networks within the system:
1 — The Challenge Network (Sharpen Your Thinking)
Surround yourself with thought partners who push you to think better, refine your ideas, and call out your blind spots.
While they care about your growth, they aren’t your cheerleaders. They’re the ones who make you rethink assumptions, help you communicate more clearly, and challenge you to operate at a higher level.
Who fits this role? Strategists, advisors, fellow business owners (or even high-level clients) who engage in deep conversations.
The benefit? You don’t just get better ideas — you become a sharper thinker and operator.
2 — The Referral Network (Multiply Your Opportunities)
Your revenue isn’t capped by what you can do alone.
The right referral network turns you into a lead generator and problem solver at the same time.
Find business owners outside your core expertise — people you trust to deliver great results. When clients ask for help in areas you don’t cover, you have a go-to expert to refer them to.
Who fits this role? Coaches, consultants, experts, or specialists who complement your work.
The benefit? A referral fee stream, a stronger reputation, and goodwill from clients who see you as a connector.
3 — The Outsource Network (Buy Back Your Time)
You don’t have to do everything. In fact, you shouldn’t.
Identify those who do what you do, but just a bit differently — whether it’s a different price point, methodology, or ideal customer profile. This allows you to offload work when you’re at capacity or offer alternatives to clients who can’t afford your pricing.
Who fits this role? “Competitors” with complementary skill sets or lower-tier service providers.
The benefit? You protect your time, extend your influence, and capture opportunities you’d otherwise turn away.
4 — The Professional Network (Advice When You Need It Most)
Even the best business owners have subject matter (and licensed) professionals in their corner — lawyers, tax strategists, compliance officers.
Bonus if you have them on standby.
These aren’t daily interactions, but when you need them, they save you time, money, and costly mistakes.
Who fits this role? Legal, financial, therapists, or compliance experts who bring professional advice when you need it most.
The benefit? Fewer fires to put out, more confidence in your decisions.
5 — The Multiplier Network (Those Who Elevate Everyone Around Them)
They may not fit neatly into your other sub-networks, but they make things happen by simply being in the mix.
They rise, and they pull others up with them.
Your multiplier network isn’t about immediate transactions or neatly defined roles. It’s about the magnetic, high-energy, charismatic people who naturally create momentum wherever they go.
You know them. They are the kind of people who are endlessly interesting. The people who make introductions, spark collaborations, and add value to every room they step into.
Who fits this role? Charismatic givers, rising talents, and natural connectors who add value wherever they go.
The benefit? You gain access, insight, and serendipity — opening doors to collaborations, new perspectives, and unexpected opportunities.
Your Network Is a System — Not a Collection of Contacts
The goal isn’t to collect people. It’s to engineer a network that makes you sharper, wealthier, and more effective.
So be intentional. Be strategic. And above all, be a good human.
That’s it for this week. Thank you for reading.
See you next week.
— Peter
P.S. Is there someone in my network that you’d like to be introduced to? Whether that’s a specific person (who) or just looking for someone that ‘fills a need’ or solves a specific problem (what).
Hit reply with who or what and I’ll find a way to make the introduction.
