Not Working: Why Communities Thrive When Networking Feels Different
Most of us hear the word and think of awkward small talk, piles of business cards, and the faint hope of maybe meeting someone useful. It feels… well, like work.
That’s why I’ve always said our events aren’t networking. They’re not working. And judging by the atmosphere in the room the other night, that simple shift makes all the difference.
Why “Not Working” Feels Better
When you take the pressure off, people relax. Instead of rehearsed job titles and polished pitches, you get honest conversations. One person summed it up perfectly: “A bit of discussion, a bit of networking, but mostly therapy.” Spot on.
Sweat, Laughs, and Shared Stories
Remember the awards night under that tin roof? It was 35 degrees and felt more like Ibiza than London. Nobody’s forgetting that in a hurry. These moments — the heat, the early masterminds, the free-ish bar — they bond us together more than any PowerPoint ever could.
The Audience Runs the Show
The best bit? The audience is part of the action. Hands go up, questions fly, and the conversation shifts in real time. It’s not a panel “delivering” to a passive crowd. It’s peers shaping the discussion together.
Why People Keep Coming Back
For senior leaders, it’s rare to have a space where you can admit what’s really going on. Here, you can. And that’s why people show up. Not just for ideas, but for the sense that you’re not doing this alone.
Closing Thoughts
Call it not working, call it community, call it therapy…whatever the label, it works. Because when you strip the “work” out of networking, people finally connect as humans. And that’s when the good stuff happens.
Author
“Chris Argent isn’t here to play by finance’s old rulebook - he’s here to rewrite it.” From challenging outdated corporate thinking to rallying finance leaders around a more connected, adaptable future, the founder of GENCFO is leading a quiet revolution in how CFOs and finance leadership work, think, and influence. Chris Argent, founder of GENCFO, is a finance leader redefining the role beyond business partnering. A self-described “reluctant accountant,” he’s built a global community for progressive accounting and finance leaders who value connection over competition and action over tradition. Chris believes the greatest risk to the profession is clinging to outdated norms, and that mindset and adaptability outpace any technological change. His work champions leaders who turn new ideas into real-world change, blending people-centred strategies with new ways of working and technology. In conversations, he challenges, provokes, and inspires - proving that the future of finance belongs to those ready to lead it together.