Networking That Actually Works: Questions That Spark Real Conversations

As we step into a new year, it’s the perfect moment to build fresh connections and explore new opportunities — here are some networking ideas to make the most of them.

Networking isn’t about how many hands we shake or how many LinkedIn connections we collect — it’s about genuine curiosity, connection and depth of the conversations we have.

Yet there were moments when showing up felt more like a task to complete than something that sparked energy.

Today, connecting with people is part of my everyday work, and I truly enjoy it. I look forward to it. But that wasn’t always the case.

Years ago, the idea of structured networking made me uncomfortable to the point where I avoided some events entirely. Walking into a room full of strangers felt staged, and I often wondered whether any of it was truly authentic.

Today, I’ve hosted and attended more conferences and business gatherings than I can remember simply because the “important” people were expected to be there.

What changed everything was leading with curiosity instead of expectations.

When I stopped focusing on what I was supposed to achieve and started wondering who I might learn from, conversations suddenly became richer, lighter, and far more genuine. Curiosity turns networking from something we get through into something we give into — offering attention, interest, and space for real connection to grow.

In the Nordic business world, where sincerity and respect matter most, this shift is often the difference between a forgettable chat and a relationship that truly lasts.

To keep things genuine, I use these five approaches.

5 Practical Steps To Consider:

1. Set Your Intention Before You Go Ask yourself: Do I want to meet potential partners, learn from peers, or simply listen? Having a clear purpose makes networking feel less random and more rewarding.

2. Lead With Curiosity, Not Sales Instead, ask open questions like “What’s inspiring you in your business right now?” It shows genuine interest and builds trust.

3. Respect the Pace of Conversation Nordic culture values space and thoughtfulness. Don’t rush — allow pauses, listen actively, and let the dialogue unfold naturally.

4. Share Something Personal, Not Just Professional Mentioning a passion project, a sustainability initiative, or even a local tradition makes you relatable. People connect with people, not just companies.

5. Follow Up With Personality and Always Add Value Skip the generic “Great to meet you.” Instead, reference something memorable: “I’m still thinking about your story of expanding into Denmark — let’s grab coffee and swap notes.” Or add value: “You mentioned looking into green financing — here’s a resource I think you’ll find useful.

   
   

So next time we walk into that conference room, coffee in hand, let’s remind ourselves: it’s not about surviving the small talk, it’s about enjoying the authentic connections.

Here are a few questions ready for you to spark meaningful conversations.

Instead of “What do you do?”, try questions that invite stories and insights:

• What inspired you to get into your line of work?

• What’s been the most exciting project you’ve worked on recently?

• If I were visiting your city, where’s the first place you’d recommend I eat?

• What’s something fun you enjoy about your job?

• What’s the biggest challenge you’re tackling right now?

• What trends are you seeing in your industry that excite you?

What’s your way of making networking work?