Donnie Boivin is the CEO and founder of Success Champion Networking, five-time bestselling author, and founder of the Badass Business Summit.
Donnie argues that traditional networking fails anyone selling high-value services. Too many people spend their time collecting business cards from people who will never buy from them instead of building relationships with people who can open the right doors.
In this conversation, Donnie explains why the best networkers focus on helping others grow before asking for anything in return, why collaborating with competitors can create opportunities neither side could win alone, and how consistently investing time in relationships leads to bigger deals than chasing referrals ever will.
If you’re looking to build a stronger network, close larger opportunities, and create lasting business relationships, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for doing it differently.
Find episode 521 on The Leadership Podcast, on YouTube, channel @theleadershippodcast, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Watch this Episode on YouTube | Donnie Boivin on Why Traditional Networking Is Broken
Key Moments
[04:01] How Donnie fell into networking almost by accident
[05:32] The Home Depot story that changed his whole approach
[09:17] The biggest mindset shift networking actually requires
[12:52] Why salespeople stay behind their laptops instead of networking
[15:46] How Success Champion curates chapters for real fit
[22:02] Leading well when everyone around you is in transition
[24:52] Why influence matters as much as relationships
[27:06] The case for showing up completely as yourself
[29:53] What AI means for the future of relationships
The Leadership Podcast is sponsored by W.S. Darley & Company.
Founded in 1908, Darley remains a family owned and operated business, providing the highest quality equipment solutions to our country’s warfighters and firefighters.
Learn more at darley.com and darleydefense.com
Memorable Quotes
"I define networking as building other people's businesses." Share on X "Your clients are not networking. The people who are in the rooms you have access to can't buy your stuff." Share on X "If you can't measure it, it's very hard to find success with anything." Share on X "The more you try and be your authentic self, the more you're going to enjoy life." Share on X "It's the five people you surround yourself with, but it's also the five prospects you're going after, the five clients you currently have, the five people you're networking with." Share on X "Be a hell of a lot more mindful about the people you are surrounding yourself with." Share on X "Effective networking isn't a result of luck. It requires hard work and persistence." Share on XResources Mentioned
- The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com
- Sponsored by | www.darley.com
- Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com
- Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com
- Donnie Boivin Website | https://donnieboivin.com
- Donnie Boivin YouTube | www.youtube.com/@donnieboivin
- Donnie Boivin Twitter | @donnieboivin
- Donnie Boivin Facebook | www.facebook.com/donnie.boivin
- Donnie Boivin LinkedIn |www.linkedin.com/in/donnieboivin
- Donnie Boivin Instagram | www.instagram.com/donnie.boivin
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