Podcast Summary: Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Episode #514: Why the Best Networkers Don’t “Network” (And What They Do Instead) with Scott McGregor, Founder of the Outlier Project
Release Date: April 22, 2025

Introduction to Scott McGregor

In this episode, Heather Monahan welcomes Scott McGregor, a renowned expert in building meaningful relationships and the founder of the Outlier Project and Outlier Magazine. Scott shares his journey from growing up economically disadvantaged in an affluent town to becoming a successful entrepreneur and relationship builder. Heather enthusiastically highlights Scott's impressive accolades, including his features in Forbes Magazine, Founder Magazine’s 100 Top Founders, and his role as a guest lecturer at Harvard.

Scott’s Philosophy: Building Friendships Over Networking

Scott begins by distinguishing his approach to networking:

Scott McGregor [00:00]: "I don't build a network. I build friendships. I build relationships. There's a huge difference. Networking to me is transactional..."

He emphasizes that viewing relationships as friendships rather than transactional exchanges fosters sustainability and genuine connections.

Embracing the Outlier Mindset

Scott delves into his upbringing as an outlier, which fueled his lifelong curiosity and contrarian approach:

Scott McGregor [02:26]: "I recognized early on in life that I was an outlier. I didn't call it that, but I knew I thought differently about things than my peers."

This mindset led him to pursue unconventional paths in business, resulting in sustained success without relying on traditional advantages like money or connections.

Building Successful Businesses by Going Against the Grain

Scott discusses his ventures, particularly his experience as a Chief Revenue Officer where he grew a company from 5 to nearly 300 employees with double-digit growth over 17 years. Frustrated with the traditional staffing industry's inefficiencies, he founded Something New, which revolutionized recruitment and won eight consecutive American Business Awards for innovation.

Scott McGregor [04:49]: "We literally built a different mousetrap. So everything that I had seen that drove me nuts as a CRO, we just did the opposite."

Creating Community Through the Outlier Project and Magazine

Expanding his focus from business to community building, Scott launched the Outlier Project and Outlier Magazine to celebrate and connect with like-minded individuals who dare to be different. The community has grown to 750 members across 35 countries, and the magazine boasts 30,000 subscribers.

Scott McGregor [08:15]: "We are both a physical magazine and a digital. And I think people love to read about outliers."

The Standing O Book Series: A Path to Giving Back

Scott shares the genesis of the Standing O book series, a collection of gratitude chapters written by his network of friends, with all proceeds donated to charity. The series not only raised significant funds for nonprofits but also deepened connections within his network.

Scott McGregor [09:15]: "The first book that I wrote was called Standing O... We sold a bunch of books, we raised a bunch of money for a couple nonprofits that I was really passionate about."

Living into the Answers vs. Corporate Rigidity

Discussing entrepreneurial flexibility, Scott contrasts his approach with corporate America's rigidity, advocating for adaptability and improvisation:

Scott McGregor [13:17]: "Live into the answers just means you don't have to have the answer right now."

Heather echoes this sentiment, highlighting how corporate environments often resist change, leading to stagnation:

Heather Monahan [14:03]: "When most companies really start to decline, whether they know it yet or not, when they just put things on rinse and repeat..."

Strategies for Building and Maintaining Genuine Relationships

Scott outlines his strategies for cultivating deep, meaningful relationships without viewing them as transactional:

1. Use Your Phone as a CRM:
   Maintain all important contact information and personal details on your phone for easy access and reference.

   Scott McGregor [34:56]: "I use my phone as my CRM. So all of the things that are important to me I have in my phone."

2. Hoosier Oprah List:
   Maintain a list of high-impact relationships, focusing on individuals who can amplify opportunities and contribute positively to your network.

   Scott McGregor [37:27]: "I have a list of people who are the most impactful and have the most access... so Oprah has tremendous access."

3. Be Intentional and Thoughtful:
   Send personalized messages, handwritten notes, and thoughtful gifts to show genuine appreciation and support.

   Scott McGregor [37:41]: "I think there's a lot of power in that [thoughtful gifts]."

4. Be One of One:
   Strive to stand out by being unique in your gestures, such as sending video messages or personalized notes that make the recipient feel special.

   Scott McGregor [32:48]: "How can I be one of one? How can I show up where I'm the only person that's doing this?"

Balancing Generosity with Requests

Scott explains how he balances giving and asking within his relationships, ensuring that favors are reciprocal and not transactional:

Scott McGregor [41:28]: "There's a scale of asks... every time I do something for somebody, I'm putting something on my side of the ledger."

He emphasizes that genuine relationships naturally lead to mutual support, reducing the need for direct requests.

The Success of the Outlier Project Community

Scott attributes the growth and success of the Outlier Project to its focus on diverse, yet hearted individuals who seek growth through unique interactions. The community offers interactive and live experiences, differentiating it from traditional podcasts or static networks.

Scott McGregor [45:57]: "It's a group of not like minded people, but like hearted people... we want people to be able to interact with you."

In-Person Events: Strengthening Community Bonds

The Outlier Project hosts various in-person events that range from casual activities like mini-golf to impactful initiatives like rebuilding schools in Nicaragua. These events foster deeper connections and provide unique experiences for members.

Scott McGregor [48:19]: "We try to do things that are really fun... humanity expeditions, so we go to Nicaragua every year and we help rebuild schools."

Practical Advice for Listeners

Scott offers actionable tips for listeners aiming to build a network of genuine friendships:

1. Be Consistent in Showing Up:
   Regularly support and celebrate others through social media, personal messages, and timely gestures.

2. Personalize Your Interactions:
   Move beyond generic interactions by making each engagement unique and meaningful.

3. Avoid Keeping Score:
   Build relationships without expecting immediate returns, fostering trust and mutual respect.

4. Join Communities Aligned with Your Values:
   Engage with groups like the Outlier Project that value diverse perspectives and interactive experiences.

Scott McGregor [43:49]: "Never keep score. So do not keep score... it's a game that has no scoreboard and it has no clock."

Conclusion and Call to Action

Heather encourages listeners to join the Outlier Project for an enriching experience in building meaningful relationships and personal growth. Scott reiterates the importance of authentic connections and invites listeners to engage with him via LinkedIn for further networking.

Heather Monahan [51:06]: "Check out the Outlier Project. Your girl is a part of it for... there is no one better that you want to network with."

Join the Outlier Project:
For those inspired to build genuine relationships and connect with like-minded outliers, visit Outlier Project Live to join the community. No application process is required—membership is open and accessible to all who resonate with the outlier mindset.

Follow Scott McGregor:
Connect with Scott on LinkedIn to stay updated on his latest endeavors and insights.

Notable Quotes:

• Scott McGregor [00:00]: "I don't build a network. I build friendships. I build relationships. There's a huge difference."
• Scott McGregor [13:17]: "Live into the answers just means you don't have to have the answer right now."
• Scott McGregor [32:48]: "How can I be one of one? How can I show up where I'm the only person that's doing this?"
• Scott McGregor [41:28]: "Never keep score. So do not keep score... it's a game that has no scoreboard and it has no clock."

This episode provides invaluable insights into building authentic relationships, the importance of being an outlier, and practical strategies for personal and professional growth. Whether you're looking to expand your network or deepen your existing connections, Scott McGregor's experiences and advice offer a blueprint for success.