How To Become A Super Connector Even If It's Not Your Thing With Shani Dowell

Most coaches and consultants have a bigger network than they think. The problem isn't who you know. It's that you're too busy doing the work to see how those dots connect. In this episode, Skot Waldron sits down with Shani Dowell, founder and CEO of Possip, former Bain consultant, Stanford MBA, and a self-described person who "thinks in circles, not lines," to unpack how connecting turns into real business. Shani explains why connecting is a skill you can learn, not a personality trait you're born with. She shares how she landed her first sales by connecting interested school leaders to a foundation that had the budget, why curiosity is the best cure for feeling transactional, and the simple notebook habit she uses to spot opportunities before anyone else does. Guest: Shani Dowell Website: https://possip.com/ LinkedIn:   / shani-dowell-59192b   Timestamps: 00:00:01 – Cold Start & Intro 00:04:57 – Why Connecting Is a Skill You Can Learn 00:06:37 – How Connecting Landed the First Sales 00:09:40 – The Notebook Habit of a Super Connector 00:11:07 – How to Connect Without Feeling Transactional 00:15:59 – Turning Old Relationships Into Coaching Clients 00:17:37 – Mapping Your Network Without a Spreadsheet 00:20:15 – One Exercise to Find Hidden Clients 00:22:44 – LinkedIn Exports, AI, and Cold Outreach That Works 00:27:04 – Why Schools Are an Overlooked Coaching Market Welcome to How’d They Do That? The show where real coaches share how they actually built their businesses. No hype. No magical funnels that only work for people with a pet unicorn. Just honest conversations about what works, what flops, and what builds a coaching business that lasts. I’m Skot Waldron, a communication strategist and coach who’s spent two decades helping leaders and teams get aligned and move forward. The same skills that transform organizations are the ones coaches need to grow a business: clarity, influence, and the ability to communicate without confusing people. Each week, you’ll hear practical strategies, smart decisions, and behind-the-scenes stories from coaches who’ve figured it out. Website: http://www.skotwaldron.com LinkedIn:   / skotwaldron   If you're one of the people who have figured it out, please DM or email me (skot@skotwaldron.com) and let me know. I'd love to have you on the show!