Today we hear from Pat Hedley, an advisor and investor in innovative growth companies, about the significance of human connections in personal and professional realms. Pat shares the inspiration behind her book 'Meet 100 People,' which she wrote to offer advice she wished she had early in her career. Jen and Pat will discuss the importance of building relationships, curiosity, and generosity, and Pat addresses common concerns from introverts about networking. Through personal anecdotes, Pat illustrates how even casual connections can lead to significant opportunities and emphasizes the value of consistency, authenticity, and a willingness to help others. Jennifer and Pat also highlight strategies for making meaningful connections and maintaining them over time. The conversation underscores the interconnectedness of relationships and the impact they have on various facets of life. In this interview with Pat, you'll discover: 00:16 Introduction to the Show 00:50 Meet Pat Hedley: Visionary and Strategist 01:51 The Power of Human Connection 02:16 Lessons from 'Meet 100 People' 04:45 Personal Stories of Connection 08:26 Advice for Introverts and Networking Tips 22:36 The Importance of Authenticity and Self-Awareness 27:45 Final Thoughts and How to Connect Resources mentioned: Meet 100 People About the guest: Connect on LinkedIn Pat Hedley is an advisor to and investor in innovative growth companies. A visionary and strategist with a broad, global network of experts and resources, Pat counsels CEOs, entrepreneurs, and management teams. Previously she was a managing director with General Atlantic, a global growth equity firm. Pat has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a degree in computer science from Dartmouth College. OptiMatch Are you ready to stop struggling with high churn rates, decreased satisfaction, and financial losses due to poor matches in your business? See how the power of our SaaS algorithm delivers proven increases in satisfaction, higher retention rates, and increased revenue for businesses and marketplaces. OptiMatch is designed to be integrated into your existing recruitment process and used alongside your other tools. Our cutting-edge algorithms facilitate successful matches between employees and employers or customers and practitioners, resulting in proven increased satisfaction, effective sessions, higher retention rates, and increased revenue. Say goodbye to the friction, frustration, and inefficiency of poor matches, and hello to success with OptiMatch.