You Watched, You Liked, But You Skipped the Connection

Somewhere along the way, many women forgot how much we need each other. We talk about community and lifting each other up, but when it comes time to show up in the places where our voices matter most, too many of us disappear.

I have seen it more times than I can count. You share an accomplishment on LinkedIn, and you hear nothing from the very women you once cheered on. You send a sincere note congratulating someone, and it sits unread or unacknowledged. You extend an invitation to connect, and it expires without a response. But those same people will gladly accept a request from someone who never thought twice about sidelining them.

It is not just disappointing. It is harmful.

Networks are one of the most powerful predictors of professional success. Research published by the Harvard Business Review found that women who have strong inner circles of other women are 2.5 times more likely to land higher-paying and influential jobs than women without that circle. Think about that. Just having a trusted group of peers who share advice and support can more than double your chances of moving ahead.

Yet we keep acting like we do not have time to comment, endorse, or even say thank you.

Social media is not just a place to scroll. It is a space where we shape perceptions, build influence, and create opportunities for each other. When we fail to engage, we are sending a message that we would rather stand alone.

If you are reading this, you probably know exactly what I mean. Maybe you have felt ignored when you needed support. Maybe you have been the one too busy or distracted to show up. Either way, we have to do better.

Here is the truth. Women who support other women are more successful. A study by the Kellogg School of Management showed that female peer mentorship increases promotion and retention rates by as much as 20 percent. That is not a small number. That is proof that when we invest in each other, we all move forward.

So, I will say it clearly. Stop thinking your comment does not matter. Stop believing your network is too small to help someone else. Every time you show up for another woman, whether you amplify her work or simply acknowledge her voice, you are making it more likely that she, and you, will thrive.

And if you are still holding on to that connection request I sent, you know who you are. Maybe it is time to hit accept.

Sources: Harvard Business Review, "Research: Men and Women Need Different Kinds of Networks to Succeed", February 2019 Kellogg School of Management, "The Value of Female Peer Mentorship", 2017