"Lead with what you can give, not what you can get."
Most people approach networking the wrong way. They get strategic about it, collect contacts, and look for what they can gain—when the real key is generosity.
Marija Skobe-Pilley, the Founder & CEO of Women in Customer Success, an award-winning CS Strategist and thought leader, knows this well.
She started a podcast with the desire to feature remarkable women in customer success and amplify their voices. What began as a passion project grew into a powerful network of over 130 women who became each other's mentors and champions. She didn’t plan it. She didn’t have a secret agenda. She didn’t set out to build a massive network. She just kept having conversations, showing up, and looking for ways to help.
Today, WiCS is a go-to hub, community, and thriving ecosystem for Customer Success professionals, built on the power of peer learning, visibility, and genuine connections. In this Joy of Connecting episode, Marija shares a personal story about how one conversation changed everything and how focusing on giving first has shaped her career journey and life.
We discuss:
- How Podcasts catalyze connection
- How a simple idea turned into a 300-person mentorship program
- Why traditional networking often fails (& advice that actually work)
- Conversation starters that reveal people's true passions
- Ways mentorship can transform careers
If networking has ever felt awkward or transactional, it’s time to flip the script. Find one simple way to offer value today: a conversation, an introduction, or a moment of support. You never know where it might lead.
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👉 Find Marija on LinkedIn
👉 Learn more about Women in Customer Success, a go-to platform for connecting, inspiring and showcasing women in the Customer Success industry.
👉 And get bi-weekly, actionable tips for building your network and connecting with meaning!
Links from the episode:
- Wednesday Women - movement on a mission is to increase visibility of executive women leaders you should know, learn from, and be inspired by.
- Women in Customer Success Power Up - the first women-only mentoring program within the Customer Success industry.
- Women in Customer Success Podcast
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