Today’s guest was called “a cult legend in the online community-building world” by Mashable.

He has been at the forefront of building highly curated, technology-enabled communities for ambitious professionals. He is focused on creating a strong membership experience and positive business outcomes for thousands of successful executives, thought leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs across the country.

He first co-founded Brazen Technologies, a career-management site for high-achieving young professionals and ambitious college students. After that, he went on to co-found Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization for leading entrepreneurs. In 2018, along with his business partner Scott Gerber, he authored Superconnector: Stop Networking & Start Building Business Relationships That Matter.

Today, he and his team are building the future of professional organizations with The Community Company, an organization which creates community programs for global brands and media companies.

Please join me in welcoming Ryan Paugh.

Would you leave an honest rating and review on Apple Podcast? Or Stitcher? They are extremely helpful and I read each and every one of them. Thanks for the inspiration!

In this episode we discuss:

his thoughts on leadership: “Leadership is being a person who puts other people’s needs in front of their own to focus on how they can help other people do their best work, sometimes at the sacrifice of what they are working on.”how his focus for business growth is on helping the people on his team break through barriers to be their best.how his empathy and desire for everyone to feel connected has existed his whole life, and how connecting people began when he was young.what being a superconnector looks like for him as an introverted and analytical person.his thoughts on networking events and how he creates an oasis for people who want to connect with others away from the noise.how he connects with people in his extended network, using a combination of strategy, intention, and serendipity.

Links

Ryan Paugh on LinkedIn and Twitter.www.ryanpaugh.comThe Community Company

Books mentioned in this episode:

“Superconnector: Stop Networking and Start Building Business Relationships that Matter” by Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh

Other Resources:

Listen to my interview with Scott Gerber.Learn more about Susan Cain.Listen to my interview with Morra Aarons-Mele.Learn more about The Hero Club.Learn more about Young Entrepreneur Club (YEC).Learn more about David Spinks of CMX.Learn more about Richard Branson.Learn more about Adage.Learn more about Forbes Councils.Listen to my interview with Dorie Clark.Learn more about Podcast Movement conference.Learn more about the INBOUND conference.

About Robbie:Robbie Samuels is a keynote speaker and relationship-based business strategist who has been recognized as a “networking expert” by both Inc. and Lifehacker. He is the author of the best-selling business book Croissants vs. Bagels: Strategic, Effective, and Inclusive Networking at Conferences and has been profiled in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and Fast Company. His clients include associations and corporations including Marriott, AmeriCorps, Hostelling International, and General Assembly.

He has been featured in several books including Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark and The Connector’s Advantage: 7 Mindsets to Grow Your Influence and Impact by Michelle Tillis Lederman. He has guest lectured at many leading educational institutions including Harvard University, Cornell University, Brandeis University, and Northeastern University. Robbie is the host of On the Schmooze podcast which features his networking strategies and talented professionals sharing untold stories of leadership and networking.