Building Community & Becoming a Super Connector

In this episode Ha Nguyen, Founder and Managing Partner of NextStep Advisory & Consulting, shares the work and life experiences that have led her to being an exceptional community builder and super connector. She joins host, Surbhi Gupta, to share the value of being a go-giver, and how visibility and being able to speak up has powered her career and can do the same for yours.

🎧 Episode Highlights:

01:47 Ha’s Product Origin Story: eBay in 2000 to Product Leadership

03:00 From Introvert to Speaking Up: HBS & Finding Your Voice

05:20 Becoming a Super Connector: Community Building & VC Brand

08:49 Visibility Isn’t Automatic: Ask for What You Want (Promotion Stories)

14:05 When Leadership Isn’t Moving Fast Enough: Timing, Titles & Leaving

17:12 Create Your Own Luck: Habits, Confidence, and Taking Risks

20:58 Build a Personal Board of Directors (and Nurture Relationships)

25:19 Finding Sponsors in Big Companies: Skip-Level Relationships & Persistence

27:19 Make Better Asks: Follow-Ups, Value, and Time-Bound Requests

28:29 Make the Ask Easy: Be Specific and Respect Their Time

28:51 Add Value First: The Go-Giver Mindset (and Why Karma Works)