Expanding Your LinkedIn Network & Strengthening Our Community

For many senior financial professionals, LinkedIn has become an essential professional tool. It allows us to stay informed, maintain relationships with colleagues, and follow developments across industries and organizations. Yet one of LinkedIn’s most useful networking features is also one of the most overlooked: the “People You May Know” section, sitting right inside the My Network tab.

This simple feature presents a steady stream of professionals who share connections, professional backgrounds, or industry affiliations with you. Often, these are individuals who are only one or two degrees removed from your existing network. For financial executives in particular—CFOs, Controllers, Finance Directors, and other senior leaders—this can represent a powerful opportunity to expand your professional community.

Many professionals scroll past this section, or only quickly glance at it without much thought. However, when used intentionally, it can become an effective and efficient way to grow both your personal network and the broader community of senior finance professionals connected through The Financial Executives Networking Group (The FENG).

A Simple Opportunity Hiding in Plain Sight

LinkedIn’s algorithm surfaces individuals who are likely to be relevant to your professional world. Often these recommendations include professionals who share mutual connections, have worked in similar industries, or participate in similar professional communities.

For members of The FENG, this often means that the People You May Know list contains other financial executives who are either already connected to The FENG or who would benefit greatly from becoming part of our organization.

Rather than viewing this section as just another stream of suggested connections, consider it a weekly networking opportunity.

Take a few moments to review the profiles that appear there. When you see someone who appears to be a fellow senior financial professional, take the time to look briefly at their background. Are they a CFO, Controller, Finance Director, or senior financial professional? Do they work in an industry or geographic region that overlaps with your experience?

If so, it is entirely appropriate to send a connection request.

The Value of a Thoughtful Connection Request

Although LinkedIn allows users to connect with a single click, adding a brief personal note can make a meaningful difference. A short, friendly introduction signals that the connection is intentional rather than random.

For example:

“Hello! I noticed we share several connections in the finance community. Always glad to connect with fellow finance leaders here on LinkedIn.”

A simple message like this is professional, respectful, and opens the door to further conversation. It follows the recommended format of [Observation → Commonality → Soft Ask]. Most professionals appreciate connecting with peers who share similar responsibilities and challenges.

Once the connection is accepted, the real networking begins.

Discovering a Shared Community

One of the most natural follow-up questions for financial executives is also one of the most useful:

“Are you a member of The FENG?”

If the answer is yes, you have immediately discovered meaningful common ground. The FENG is built on the principle of peer-to-peer networking among senior financial leaders, so membership often creates an instant point of connection.

From there, the conversation can easily expand. You might ask:

Which chapter they participate in
Whether they attend meetings regularly
What topics or presentations they have found particularly valuable
What trends they are seeing in their sector or region

These types of conversations are exactly what The FENG was created to foster: professional dialogue among experienced financial leaders who understand the realities of executive finance roles.

Introducing New Leaders to The FENG

If the person you connect with is not yet familiar with The FENG, the conversation becomes an opportunity to introduce them to one of the most valuable professional communities available to senior finance professionals.

Many executives are simply unaware that such an organization exists.

A friendly and natural response might be something like:

“Really? I would strongly recommend taking a look. The FENG is the world’s largest networking organization specifically for CFOs, Controllers, and senior financial executives.”

You can then share the link:

www.TheFENG.org

The key is not to treat this as a sales pitch, but rather as a professional recommendation. The FENG has built its reputation over decades as a community where experienced financial leaders support one another through career transitions, share knowledge, and expand their professional networks.

For many members, the relationships formed through The FENG have proven invaluable during both career growth and career change.

Strengthening the Entire Network

When members introduce new professionals to The FENG, they are doing more than simply expanding their own network. They are strengthening the entire organization.

Every new member adds another perspective, another set of experiences, and another opportunity for meaningful professional exchange.

Over time, this collective growth reinforces the strength of the FENG community itself. What began as a networking group has evolved into one of the most trusted professional communities for senior finance leaders anywhere in the world.

A Small Habit with Large Benefits

Growing your network does not require hours of effort. In fact, it can be accomplished through a simple weekly habit.

Spend five minutes reviewing LinkedIn’s People You May Know section.
Connect with a few professionals who appear to share your professional community.
Start a conversation.
Ask if they are members of The FENG.

Sometimes the answer will be yes, and you will have discovered a fellow member you did not yet know. Other times the answer will be no, and you will have an opportunity to introduce them to a professional community that has helped thousands of financial leaders throughout their careers.

Either way, you have expanded your network and strengthened the connections that support our profession.

And that is exactly what The FENG has always been about: real networking among real financial leaders.

While you're there, please also follow our pages: