Beyond the Handshake with Christen Sindone and Hope Harris - Power Hour Recap
By: Julie Borgognoni, communications marketing manager, Mannington Commercial
On this month’s WiFi Power Hour, we were thrilled to welcome two incredible speakers, Christen Sindone, Managing Director of Hill & Co, and Hope Harris, VP Human Resources at Real Floors for an inspiring session titled Beyond the Handshake. Hosted by Whitney LeGate, co-chair of the WIFI Professional Development Committee and Sr. VP of Product at Mannington Commercial, this session dove into the art of networking, going beyond surface-level interactions to create meaningful, long-term relationships.
The Humility-Confidence Balance
Christen and Hope shared their unique perspectives on networking. Christen, a self-proclaimed “non-traditional networker,” and Hope, an extroverted HR leader, offered valuable insights into balancing humility and confidence, leveraging social media, and fostering genuine connections.
Christen emphasized the importance of approaching networking with both humility and confidence. “You have to believe you have something to offer while remaining open to learning from others,” she said. Hope echoed this sentiment, encouraging attendees to remember their value: “If you’ve been invited into the room, it’s because you bring something meaningful.”
Networking as a Skill, Not a Trait
Both speakers dispelled the myth that networking is a personality trait. Christen’s journey as an introvert showcased that success in networking stems from authenticity and practice. Hope, while naturally extroverted, admitted that networking wasn’t always easy for her. She reminded the audience that building relationships requires intentionality and effort, regardless of personality type.
Leveraging Social Media and Digital Tools and Build Long-Term Relationships
Hope and Christen highlighted the importance of curating a professional online presence, particularly on LinkedIn. Christen shared that recruiters often assess candidates’ social media activity to gauge their personal brand. “Keep your profile current and authentic,” she advised. Hope, who uses social media sparingly, underscored the value of authentic connections over follower counts. “Even small, meaningful interactions can have a lasting impact,” she noted.
Moving beyond transactional networking, both speakers emphasized cultivating partnerships and mentoring relationships. Christen’s stories of supporting young professionals and reconnecting with former clients illustrated the power of nurturing meaningful connections. Hope shared how witnessing the growth of someone’s entrepreneurial spirit has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.
Christen’s advice for introverts was to embrace one-on-one interactions, such as having coffee with a new contact, instead of focusing on large networking events. “Play to your strengths,” she encouraged. Hope added that preparation and leaning on mentors or connectors can help ease social anxiety and make networking feel more natural.
Join WIFI
The session ended with an invitation to get more involved with WIFI, from joining committees to participating in the mentor program and attending upcoming events. As Whitney said, “This group is an amazing network of women, and we’d love for you to be a part of it.”
For more details about upcoming WIFI power hours, visit womeninflooring.org/power-hour. Together, we can move beyond the handshake and create connections that empower and inspire!