The Mike Horne Blog

At some point in your career, you may pause and ask yourself, “Am I heading in the right direction?” Success, titles, and paychecks often appear to be markers of achievement, but if they don’t align with your values, they can leave you feeling unfulfilled. The path to professional success and personal satisfaction lies in aligning your career with what truly matters to you.

When it comes to career growth, the adage "It's not what you know, it's who you know" carries significant weight. However, building a professional network that truly matters goes beyond collecting business cards or adding thousands of LinkedIn connections. Meaningful networking is about creating authentic, reciprocal relationships that stand the test of time and foster personal and professional growth.

Technological advances, evolving business models, and shifting cultural values are reshaping how we work, communicate, and collaborate. For leaders, this isn’t just about keeping up—it’s about seizing the opportunity to unlock the full potential of their teams and driving purposeful growth across the organization. This may be particularly true in the eroding era of middle management.