Networking Mistakes That Kill Connections: Tiffany Ball's Guide to Authentic Relationship Building

In this insightful June episode of "Pass the Mic," Tiffany Ball, founder of Grow Networking, takes over to share hard-earned wisdom about the networking mistakes that sabotage professional relationships before they even begin. Through personal stories and practical advice, Tiffany reveals the three critical errors most people make: judging others too quickly, forming exclusive cliques, and disrespecting others' time through poor scheduling habits. She introduces the powerful "croissant vs. donut" concept for inclusive networking and shares how a person she initially dismissed became one of her favorite clients and biggest supporters. This episode is packed with actionable strategies for creating meaningful connections, managing your schedule intentionally, and making every person you meet feel valued and included.

Tiffany Ball is the founder of Grow Networking, a community focused on creating intentional connections where opportunities are meaningful and every person's presence matters. A self-described recovering people pleaser and empath, Tiffany discovered her natural ability to read people and make them feel comfortable, skills she now channels into building authentic professional relationships. Through Grow Networking, she creates spaces where connections happen organically and purposefully, moving beyond surface-level interactions to build lasting business relationships. Tiffany's approach to networking emphasizes the human element of business, believing that when people feel accepted, valued, and comfortable, true opportunities for collaboration and growth emerge.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Never Judge a Book by Its Cover: The danger of writing off potential connections based on first impressions or communication styles
• The Clique Problem: How exclusive groups form at networking events and make newcomers feel unwelcome
• Croissant vs. Donut Theory: Creating open circles (croissants) instead of closed groups (donuts) to welcome new people
• Scheduling Respect: The importance of honoring commitments and not repeatedly rescheduling meetings
• Hostage Taker Syndrome: Recognizing when someone monopolizes conversations and how to gracefully exit
• Introvert vs. Extrovert Dynamics: Understanding different networking styles and helping introverts feel included
• The Power of Discomfort: Why stepping outside your comfort zone leads to the best networking opportunities
• Intentional Connection Building: Making every interaction count and treating people's time as valuable
• Bridge Building vs. Bridge Burning: How small actions can make or break professional relationships
• Creating Inclusive Spaces: The responsibility of experienced networkers to welcome newcomers

Powerful Quotes from the Episode

"You never know where your clients are going to come from... you just never know, he's one of my favorite people now... I had to give him an opportunity."

"We are so complex, and we are so intricate, a lot of us are. And if we don't give each other the opportunity to show and showcase who we are as people, then how else are we ever going to know how those people can show up for us in our lives?"

"Don't judge a book by its cover, because you never know what that person is going to be able to do for you in your career, or what connections that they can give you and bring to the table."

"Croissants always have an opening, right? So if you're talking in a group of people, always move to the side to allow for more people to come in."

"There is power in the discomfort guys. And until you get in that discomfort and get comfortable with that, do you move through it and find the power and the magic... on the other side of that."

"When we end up rescheduling and rescheduling people multiple times... what we do is we say to them that they are not a priority in our schedule and in our lives and that we don't really need to talk to them."

"People remember how you make them feel. And these are ways that you can make people feel separate, make them feel isolated, make them feel not good enough."

"If you go through life and you try to cause the least amount of harm to others, I just believe that that's how your life is going to end up."

Loved this episode? Tiffany's practical advice about authentic networking could transform how you approach professional relationships. Remember: every person you meet has potential value - the key is being open enough to discover it and respectful enough to nurture it.

Resources

CONNECT WITH Tiffany Ball

Facebook and Instagram Links

• Grow Networking: Tiffany's community for intentional business connections
• Networking Events: Look for local networking opportunities in your area
• One-on-One Meetings: Schedule intentional follow-up conversations after networking events

Connect with the Show

• Pass the Mic Podcast: A unique monthly format featuring different experts in their zones of genius
• Resilient Voice Media: A global podcast network and production company amplifying great people who do great work
• Host: Gabi Garland, founder of Resilient Voice Media
• June Host: Tiffany Ball, founder of Grow Networking
• Mission: To amplify beautiful humans who deserve bigger platforms to share their work, heart, and expertise

A Resilient Voice Media Production 

• To work with us submit inquiry at www.resilientvoicemedia.com
• Gabi Garland CEO of Resilient Voice Media
• CONNECT WITH GABI: Instagram and Facebook
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• Pass the Mic Opportunities: Contact Resilient Voice Media for information about hosting your own month in 2026