Networking is
an adventure.

A calmer, more human way to build your network — and your community.

Robin Shaw  ·  QBN
Chart the course

The Real Problem

Your network is your greatest asset.

So why does building it feel so bad?

“It feels transactional.”
Like I'm using people to get something.
“I want to, but I don't know how.”
No system, no starting point, no map.
“It's all in my head.”
I know how, but I can't teach it, scale it, or relax into it.

We come back to these three. By the end, every one is crossed out.

First, a definition

Networking is mapping the connections you already have — and making new ones.

It starts the moment you decide to set out.

The Reframe

Stop collecting contacts.
Start going on quests.

A quest changes everything about a conversation. You stop performing, and start exploring. Three things become true at once:

A rising tide raises all boats. The more people who do this, the better it works.

You have a quest.

Something real you're working toward: a job, a move, a skill.

Every conversation is zero-pressure.

You're not pitching. You're asking for directions.

You find treasure in each interaction.

Your quest helps others. Their quests help you.

Your Quest, and Theirs

Everyone you meet is on a quest too.

Yours might be: rebuild income after a layoff, sell your house, find a mentor. Theirs are their sidequests. The magic is in the overlap — and you can make a match without needing anything yourself.

A person & their quest A match you can make

You didn't need anything yourself to create value. That's the whole game.

The Toolkit

Four simple lists. That's the system.

No CRM, no funnel. Just four lists you keep however you like — a notebook, your phone, the back of a napkin.

Your Quests

What you're working toward.

“Find a new job. Sell my house.”

Your Contacts

People you've met, and why they're great.

“Finlay knows Kitsap wildlife cold.”

Their Sidequests

What the people you meet are chasing.

“Finlay's wife wants to learn crochet.”

Your Cargo Manifest

Resources you've picked up along the way.

“Alora: 12% off laser hair removal this month.”

Every Conversation Has Three Phases

How a quest conversation actually flows.

1

Lower the temperature

Say what networking means to you — plainly and upfront. The pressure drops instantly.

2

Ask genuine questions

Listen for their sidequests. Check your cargo manifest. You always have something to offer — even if it's just a fresh perspective.

3

Ask for directions

Explain your quest. Who might they introduce you to, on the next island over?

Why It Works

Genuine. Transparent.
No hidden motives.

It's real by design.

There's no secret technique to feel guilty about. You're just helping people reach their islands.

Six degrees, any direction.

The right person for your quest is about six introductions away. You just haven't asked yet.

Volume with care.

Have more conversations — but always respect the other person's time and energy.

For the techies: QBN is just a breadth-first search across the human graph.

The Real Problem, Resolved

Remember those three?

“It feels transactional.”→Now it's the most genuine conversation you'll have.
“I don't know how.”→Now you have four lists and three phases.
“It's all in my head.”→Now it's a system you can teach to anyone.

Same words. Different person saying them.

The Real Quest

Rebuild our sense of community, one conversation at a time.

Our community is our greatest asset. Get out there and meet someone new.

Robin Shaw
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