There are plenty of sensible reasons to go networking. Connections. Referrals. Local reputation. Sometimes just keeping the calendar warm. But ask anyone who’s been at it long enough and they’ll tell you: the stories that last, the ones you remember years down the line, rarely begin with a scheduled meeting or a LinkedIn follow-up.
What gives networking its real staying power is the one thing you can’t write into your plans: serendipity. The chance encounter. The unscripted chat by the coffee urn. The unexpected overlap with someone you never would have met in your normal orbit. It’s not the whole story, but it’s a reason. And one worth turning up for, whether you’re just getting started or you’ve seen it all before.
The Value Hidden in the Unplanned
We’re all taught to have a pitch, to work the room, to set clear goals. There’s nothing wrong with being deliberate. But some of the strongest connections, most memorable ideas, or biggest opportunities come through the side door. Not because you engineered it, but because you were simply in the room, open to whatever or whoever wandered across your path.
That’s why showing up matters, even when you don’t feel like it. For every event that goes by without a spark, there’s one where a quick chat at the edge of the crowd leads to a new client, a collaborator, or just a new way of seeing things. It’s not luck, exactly. It’s the law of large numbers with a human twist. You put yourself in places where good things can happen, and sooner or later, they do.
Stories Everyone Has (Even If They Forget Them)
Ask around any group of regulars and you’ll hear versions of the same thing. “I only went because someone else dropped out, and that’s how I met my business partner.” Or, “I was about to leave early when I ended up talking to the woman who introduced me to my best client.” The serendipitous moments don’t always look dramatic at the time. They unfold quietly, almost in the background, and you only realise their value later, sometimes much later.
This isn’t unique to networking. But in a world that increasingly tries to automate or virtualise every aspect of connection, the unscheduled, in-person moment carries extra weight. It’s why face-to-face still beats everything for building trust. Algorithms can match interests, but they can’t match the feeling when the right person sits next to you by accident.
Staying Open, Even When It’s Routine
For those who network regularly, it’s easy to fall into patterns. Talking to the same faces. Arriving late. Heading out early. But serendipity has a habit of rewarding the person who lingers a few minutes longer, or who says yes to the event that feels unnecessary. It’s not about chasing every random conversation. It’s about letting a little unpredictability back in.
That’s the real value for experienced networkers. A gentle reminder to leave room for the unexpected. If networking ever starts to feel stale, or like a chore, it’s often because you’ve squeezed out the possibility of surprise. Switch up your routine. Say yes to something different. Sit somewhere new. These small shifts reopen the window for the moments you can’t plan for, but never forget.
Serendipity as a Reason – Not the Only One, But One That Matters
No one is suggesting you build a business on pure chance, or throw your strategy out the window. But it’s worth keeping in mind, for yourself and for anyone you encourage to network: some of the best outcomes don’t come from the hard sell, the polished pitch, or even the most careful planning. They come from being present, approachable, and willing to see what and who crosses your path.
For every article about “maximising ROI” or “hacking your follow-up,” there’s a quiet story about a chance encounter that turned out to matter more than any scheduled meeting. You can’t force these moments, but you can put yourself in places where they’re possible. That’s why, in the end, serendipity is always a reason to show up, even if it’s not the reason you had in mind.
So next time you’re on the fence about another event, remember: the best thing that happens might be the one you never saw coming.
