On this episode of The Kindness Advantage, Cindy sits down with networking expert and former HR executive Mindy East for a real, refreshing conversation about what authentic networking actually looks like and why kindness may be your greatest professional advantage.

With over 30 years of corporate leadership experience at companies like McDonald’s, Disney, Gap, and Old Navy, Mindy shares how burnout pushed her to leave corporate America and build a business aligned with her strengths, values, and passion for helping others succeed. Now celebrating five years in business, she teaches professionals how to network with confidence, purpose, and genuine connection through her coaching, consulting, keynote speaking, and Networking School membership program.

Together, Cindy and Mindy explore:

• Why kindness and networking naturally go hand in hand
• The difference between “givers” and “takers” in business
• How showing genuine curiosity creates stronger relationships
• Why the goal at networking events should be to be interested, not interesting
• How authentic connection creates long-term opportunities

• What people often get wrong about networking

This episode is packed with practical networking tips, mindset shifts, and encouraging reminders that success doesn’t have to come from self-promotion or pretending to be someone you’re not.

If networking feels awkward, exhausting, or transactional, this conversation will completely reframe how you approach building relationships in business and life.

Networking School: Be Known for What You Do Best | Networking School | Lime Rock ConsultingLinkedin: Mindy East, SHRM-SCP | LinkedInSpeaker Website: www.mindyeast.comWelcome to The Kindness Advantage with Cindy Rowe — where leadership meets humanity.
Cindy Rowe is a keynote speaker, Kindness Ambassador, and host of The Kindness Advantage Podcast, helping leaders and organizations build stronger cultures through kindness, emotional intelligence, burnout prevention, and people-first leadership.
On this channel, you'll discover:
✔ Leadership development strategies
✔ Workplace culture insights
✔ Emotional intelligence tools
✔ Burnout prevention and resilience tips
✔ Communication and team-building guidance
✔ Personal growth and mindset encouragement
Whether you're an HR professional, business leader, educator, event planner, or someone simply trying to become a better human, you're in the right place.
🎤 Book Cindy to speak: https://www.thecindyrowe.com
📥 Free Resources:
7 Day Challenge: https://bit.ly/3WOC5nu
45 Random Acts Download: https://bit.ly/3R87Kzd
☕ Support the channel:
https://bmc.link/cindyrowe3a
Follow Cindy:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindyrowe-publicspeaker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecindyrowe
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyarowe
#Leadership #Kindness #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkplaceCulture