How To Use Tech To Build Your Network – Worldwide

One of the world’s top podcasters, Jordan Harbinger, shares how he uses tech tools to form real relationships.

- Adam Kagee

With an affinity for social influence, interpersonal dynamics and social engineering, Jordan Harbinger is a Wall Street lawyer turned interview talk show host, and a communication and social dynamics expert.

He’s also worked for various governments and NGOs overseas, travelled through war zones and been kidnapped – twice. He’ll tell you the only reason he’s still alive and kicking is because of his ability to talk his way into (and out of) just about any situation. Here, he shares his advice on how to build a global network without ever needing to jump on a plane.

GQ: You started your career as a lawyer. How did you shift to podcasting and coaching?

Jordan Harbinger: I started working at a Wall Street law firm and realised that everybody seemed smarter and as hardworking as I was. So, thinking I’d get fired if I didn’t find another competitive advantage, I wanted to learn how to master my softskills, such as networking, persuasion and influence, to learn how to generate business for the firm. I created my podcast, The Jordan Harbinger Show, so that I’d have access to the best leaders and coaches in that space, and over the past 12 years it’s grown into one of the largest interview podcasts in the world. I never thought this would turn into a “show” of its own. I was putting in a lot of time every day burning CDs and realised how inefficient this all was. There was no convenient way to host mp3 files on the Internet and allow other people to access them. Then I found out about podcasting, which was brand new at the time. I submitted my show to iTunes in 2006, and I believe it was one of the first thousand podcasts in the directory.

GQ: What’s your perspective on podcasting now – do you think the “airwaves” are too crowded?