On a quiet night when all is still, there are inevitably a few moments when one can’t help but feel a bit sentimental.

I recall the tears I secretly wiped away after that project signing, the leader who, despite a heavy workload, never hesitated to offer guidance, and the late-night snacks everyone always ordered during those collective all-nighters...

Attracting industrial investment is tough work; one person alone is no match for the challenge.

Networking is crucial.

So, how exactly can an investment promoter build a solid network?

Subtraction is also addition

Generally speaking, when it comes to interpersonal relationships, most people go through three distinct stages—

Stage 1: Resistance

In the first few years of work, aside from being taken out by a supervisor, people rarely go out to socialize after work, and their daily interactions are likely limited to a few colleagues from the same intake.

The reason may be that they are somewhat introverted, don’t know how to socialize, or are afraid to do so, finding it mentally exhausting.

Stage Two: Expansion

Perhaps due to guidance from supervisors, or simply becoming more familiar with the environment, people gradually overcome their nervousness about interacting with others.

Even if I still felt a bit at a loss inside, I appeared increasingly composed on the surface and began expanding my social circle.

I interact more and more with friends and colleagues—I’ve probably added over a thousand WeChat contacts alone—and I feel like my network is incredibly extensive, with acquaintances in every department and industry. I’m becoming increasingly immersed in it all.

Although I realize there’s no need to get overly caught up in this superficial bustle, and that discussing deep matters with casual acquaintances is a major no-no,

But you’ll still go through this phase.

Stage Three: Subtraction

As one ages, responsibilities grow heavier, and physical health begins to decline. They can no longer sustain the same level of social expansion as before.

Friends who only show up for food and drink are unreliable; truly dependable relationships are built on mutual trust fostered through work. Trust between strangers is hard to establish, but once achieved, it becomes exceptionally strong and helps build your personal reputation.

At this point, you should begin consciously “subtracting”—devoting more time to your work. No matter who approaches you or for what reason, if it falls under your responsibility, never shirk it; if it doesn’t, don’t simply refuse, but proactively help them find the right path.

Beyond that, pay attention to teamwork. Once you’ve taken on a task, no matter how difficult or complex it is, always follow through on your commitment.

Once, a colleague approached me and said, “I know this isn’t your responsibility, but I wasn’t sure who else to turn to, so I thought of you.” That was a tremendous compliment.

Helping others ultimately benefits yourself

Some might say, “Isn’t that just doing work for others for free?”

On the surface, that’s certainly true. With so much on your plate already, helping others solve unrelated problems—especially if you’ll never need their help in return—seems like you’re getting nothing in return.

But this way of thinking is too short-sighted.

Today, everyone operates within a much broader sphere, connected to more people through countless channels.

Therefore, a person’s value does not lie in gaining a temporary advantage from their interactions, but in how many people they can establish solid communication channels with, how many people recognize their worth, and how many people subsequently recommend them to others.

Helping others is, in itself, a form of self-interest.

In the process of helping others, you’ll gain deeper insights, develop a more systematic understanding of the world, and earn the recognition of more people. This positive reputation is likely to yield substantial returns in the future.

Furthermore, reliably fulfilling your commitments will further solidify relationships of trust.

Your network is a reflection of your own value

The principles of human interaction are universal, whether within or outside the system.

I know a vice president of a private enterprise who, a few years ago, served as the director of the Investment Promotion Bureau in a city in Jiangsu Province.

For years, he has adhered to this approach: maintaining a high level of productivity, proactively delving into industry trends and company operations, and studying investment and management practices.

If he doesn’t understand something, he asks; once he learns it, it becomes his own. He has carried this approach into the private sector as well. To solve the problems he faces, he conducts his own research, thinks through solutions, tests them in practice, and actively shares his insights—and within just a few months, he became well-known.

Whenever similar issues arise, colleagues from all over the country come to him for advice and assistance.

Sometimes, he could resolve a daunting task—one that would typically take an entire team a week to complete—in just two days. This is a classic example of “strong work ethic combined with reliability and trustworthiness.”

Over time, his reputation grew. Whenever he encountered a problem, before he even had a chance to go through internal procedures, colleagues would quickly respond and offer help—and even people he didn’t know at all would reach out to him.

With someone like this, where wouldn’t they excel?

And why would they ever worry about the so-called “35-year-old career crisis”?

The saying “suffering brings blessings” still holds true today, but it certainly doesn’t mean you have to be a doormat. You need to be clear-headed when dealing with unreliable people and spend more time interacting with those who are dependable. This naturally makes it easier to build long-term, stable relationships—it’s not just about cutting out the bad, but also about adding value.

Of course, the prerequisite for doing this is having strong enough abilities and deep enough experience.

When you’re young, spending more time honing your professional skills is far more meaningful than chasing fleeting excitement.