Networking Unleashed

An Interview with Sid Mohasseb and Michael A. Forman: Networking Through Authentic Connection

Featured on Networking Unleashed: Building Profitable Connections

In a compelling conversation on the Networking Unleashed podcast, Sid Mohasseb, founder of Anabasis Academy, joined host Michael A. Forman to discuss how authentic relationships and strategic entrepreneurship drive professional success in today's business landscape.

From Immigrant to Innovation Leader

Sid Mohasseb's journey is remarkable. Arriving in the United States at 16, he built his first company while in college and has since led multiple successful ventures in technology and consulting. As former president of Tech Coast Angels and a seasoned educator, Mohasseb brings decades of hands-on experience to Anabasis Academy, where he fuses mindfulness, awareness, and entrepreneurship.

Rethinking Traditional Business Education

Mohasseb challenges conventional business training. "Everything out there is based on how-to's," he explained. "But there are 8 billion people on our planet. No two people are the same. So what does that mean to be practical?"

Instead of one-size-fits-all solutions, Anabasis Academy focuses on provocation over prescription—igniting awareness to help individuals leverage their unique strengths.

The Game-Changing Insight: They Decide, Not You

"Do you really sell or do people buy?" Mohasseb asked. "People love to buy, but they hate to be sold to."

This distinction reframes business relationships entirely. Success comes from understanding others' motivations rather than pushing your agenda. "In networking environments, I'm not there to sell. I'm there to understand their reasons why they would buy, why they would engage."

This principle extends to employees, investors, and partners. When you recognize that others make the critical decisions, your focus shifts from controlling outcomes to creating genuine value.

What Entrepreneurship Really Means

Mohasseb offered a 300-year-old definition: "An entrepreneur is someone who has something who wishes to exchange it with something of higher value, knowing that there is risk."

By this measure, we're all entrepreneurs—from children negotiating for treats to business founders seeking investment. The constant? Building an ecosystem of relationships to navigate that risk.

The Biggest Networking Mistake

Mohasseb shared a memorable college story about a friend who would methodically approach women at discos, calculating that he needed 22 rejections before getting a yes. "I like to get the nos out of the way," the friend said.

This numbers game plagues modern networking. Professionals collect hundreds of business cards or LinkedIn connections while building few genuine relationships.

His advice? At a three- to four-hour event, aim for 15-20 meaningful conversations, not a shoebox full of cards. "If I have a problem, who would come to my assistance?" Mohasseb asked about superficial connections. "Nobody."

Network to Give, Not to Get

"Network with people not because you want to get something out of them, because you want to give something to them," Mohasseb emphasized.

As host Michael Forman noted, when people know you, like you, and trust you, they'll do business with you. But building that trust requires showing up with generosity. "The more you give, the more they will respect you, but also they will turn around and want to give you something—but you're not going to ask for it."

The Power of Active Listening

When asked what leadership quality makes someone magnetic in networking, Mohasseb gave a one-word answer: "Listening."

But not just any listening. "Listening to learn, not listening to empathize," he clarified. "I listen because they have their own reasons, and if I know their reason, I can deliver better value. I'm listening to learn so I improve my own decisions."

This transforms listening from courtesy to competitive advantage.

AI in Networking: A Word of Caution

On using AI tools for networking, Mohasseb warned: "Don't delegate your imagination to AI."

When everyone uses the same AI-generated emails or strategies, everyone loses their edge. "This machine is giving exactly the same advice to thousands of other people. So all those people are going to get emails that look exactly the same."

His guidance? "Don't confuse efficiency with effectiveness. Effectiveness comes from you and who you are and what you bring to the table."

Find Your Authentic Style

Mohasseb made a surprising admission: "I am a horrible networker. You put me in a room with three or four people, I'm very effective. You put me in a room with 200 people, I'm very ineffective."

Rather than fight his nature, he plays to his strengths. At large events, his goal is finding four quality conversations, not 25 superficial ones. "Can I find a friend? Can I find somebody to have a good conversation and learn with and trust with?"

One Actionable Strategy: Practice First

Mohasseb's advice is rarely heard: practice listening in low-stakes environments.

"Practice before you network. Think that you're networking with your mom's friends or at the grocery store. Practice listening. That's a safe place. You're not selling anything. Learn how to appreciate who people are and create conversation."

Once you've developed genuine connection skills without pressure, you can apply them professionally with confidence.

Key Takeaways

1. Others make the decisions—understand their motivations and provide value
2. Quality over quantity in building networks
3. Give before you get and build trust-based relationships
4. Listen actively to learn, not just to respond
5. Find your authentic networking style instead of copying others
6. Use AI for efficiency, preserve human effectiveness for relationships
7. Practice in safe spaces before high-stakes situations
8. Build ecosystems, not contact lists