As you head into 2026, don’t “network.” Design. Decide on purpose who you want in your corner, who you want to learn from, and who you want to be useful to. Start with a simple constraint: 13 people. Not 30. Not a random scroll of LinkedIn. Thirteen is big enough to stretch you—and small enough to make real.

In Day 11, I’ll walk you through a smarter mix: one-third strong ties (the people who already know your value), one-third weak ties (the people who can open surprising doors), and one-third “not yet” ties—people you don’t really know, but should. Think of it as a relationship portfolio: steady investments, high-upside bets, and a few bold new plays.

Here’s why it matters: visibility doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Your reputation travels through people long before you enter the room. We’ll build a simple cadence: monthly or quarterly touch points, so this feels natural, not needy. You’ll learn the difference between mentors (great perspective) and sponsors (real leverage). And we’ll go beyond tactics to the four conversations real relationships can hold: business opportunity, business challenge, personal opportunity, personal challenge.

Your 2026 challenge: protect 10% of your week for relationships. Watch what happens to your influence, your confidence, and your career momentum.

Ready to turn this into momentum, not just a nice theory? Join Speak by Design University and build your 2026 relationship plan (and the communication skills to activate it) with structure, coaching, and a clear cadence. Register today at speakbydesign.com/join so you start the year supercharged, focused, visible, and already in motion.

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