In a workshop hosted by ORT Jet, Nadia Bilchik, President of Greater Impact Communication, internationally renowned television personality, communication and professional development training expert, author and keynote speaker guided attendees through an engaging journey focused on connection, confidence, and collaboration.
ORT Jet is an organisation dedicated to creating a robust support structure for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs in South Africa and to facilitate business growth and ensure financial stability, contributing to a healthier business environment.
The session, titled “Great Conversations Start Here,” promised communication tips but delivered much more. It became an immersive experience defined by Nadia’s signature warmth, humor, and authenticity. As the author of Own Your Network, Nadia captivated the room from the moment she began speaking. Yet it wasn’t a grand entrance that drew the audience in, it was a simple, honest admission: “Even after decades in front of a camera, I still get nervous before going live.” That vulnerability immediately resonated and set the tone for the session.
We’ve all found ourselves in those awkward moments at a networking event, a conference, or even online hoping to make a connection but unsure how to start. You don’t want to sound awkward or use the same tired openers like “So, what do you do?” Nadia reframed the idea of networking as the art of building high-quality, mutually reciprocal relationships. Not every interaction will become a high-quality relationship, but each one begins with a connection and that connection starts with the ability to begin a conversation.
To make conversations feel natural and easy, Nadia recommended observational openers. These include personal, but appropriate comments like complimenting a unique piece of jewelry or making an upbeat comment about the event environment. She also emphasized the power of leading with curiosity, encouraging participants to ask thoughtful, open-ended questions that prompt meaningful dialogue. Questions such as “What’s the most exciting thing you’re working on right now?” or “What’s a challenge you’ve recently tackled that you’re proud of?” allow for genuine engagement and help bypass surface-level small talk.
To shift the energy in the room and ease any nerves, Nadia led a breathing exercise not a quiet, meditative one, but a lively and empowering moment of collective release. “Think about a moment when you nailed it,” she urged, guiding participants to anchor themselves in a memory of personal success. Then came a communal exhale an audible “HUH!”that energized the room and created an atmosphere of shared empowerment.
Nadia then transported everyone back to March 2020, a moment of upheaval that mirrored a previous turning point in her own life: leaving behind a thriving media career in South Africa to begin anew in Atlanta. When the pandemic hit and bookings vanished, she relied on her resilience, years of experience, and desire to connect. Through the lens of a Zoom camera, she reinvented her work one session at a time. It was one meaningful relationship built on authentic connection that opened the door to a new opportunity: the chance to teach others how to communicate effectively through a screen. This story served as a powerful reminder that in times of crisis, our networks aren’t just helpful they’re vital lifelines.
Throughout the workshop, Nadia reinforced the importance of moving from connection to conversation, and ultimately to collaboration. She invited attendees to reflect on what holds them back from starting conversations. The responses were deeply human: fear of rejection, lack of confidence, and uncertainty about how to begin. With empathy and wit, she responded, “Rejection activates the same part of the brain as physical pain. It sucks, and that’s one American phrase I really like!”
In a live demonstration of her “past, present, and future” conversation model, Nadia encouraged attendees to pair up or form small groups and ask one simple but profound question: “What is your biggest challenge right now?” The twist? Participants were not allowed to turn the conversation back to themselves. No one-upping, no “me too,” just deep, active listening. This exercise drove home the message that real connection starts with curiosity, not comparison. A simple “Tell me more” can unlock a level of understanding and empathy that surface interactions often miss.
Nadia emphasized that genuine connection doesn’t come from clever lines, but from intentional presence. Complimenting someone’s uniqueness, asking open-ended questions, and welcoming newcomers into conversation are small gestures that build real rapport. Her mindset is grounded in empathy, inclusion, and presence—qualities that are often overlooked in the rush to impress.
Her book Own Your Network extends the same principles in written form. It’s not about collecting contacts or handing out business cards, it’s about cultivating trust, understanding what others need, and creating shared value. Nadia’s approach prioritizes active listening over rehearsed soundbites and presence over polish. She reminded the audience that people won’t always remember what you said but they’ll remember how you made them feel.
Nadia also shared her F.I.R.E. framework, a practical guide to building meaningful relationships. First, feel good about yourself. Confidence is foundational, and recalling a personal win before walking into a room can shift your presence entirely. If you don’t believe you belong in the room, you won’t own it. Next, show genuine interest. Connection is about engaging, not impressing. Ask someone about their journey or what makes them unique. Then, relax. Fear and perfectionism often block authentic interaction. Don’t aim for flawless—aim for real. Finally, engage with intention. Be deliberate about following up and building rapport. Say thank you. Introduce people. Comment on someone’s LinkedIn post. These small acts create significant bridges.
As the workshop progressed, Nadia offered timeless and timely insights. She stressed that the fortune is in the follow-up. One conversation is merely the beginning—send a thank-you note, share a relevant article, or connect with a personal message. She encouraged participants to be connectors by introducing people who might benefit from knowing each other, even when there’s nothing in it for them. Generosity, she said, compounds in the networking world. Confidence, she added, is a habit—cultivated through body language, preparation, and posture. Being fully present is increasingly rare, so put the phone away, make eye contact, and truly listen. Most importantly, build your network before you need it. Consistency in relationships matters more than intensity during crises.
With Nadia’s guidance, attendees left the room not only with practical tools, but with a fundamental mindset shift. Great communication begins not with the perfect line, but with a single question asked with genuine interest. From there, the possibilities are endless. In a world overwhelmed by noise and superficial connection, Own Your Network is a call to courage, intentionality, and heart. More than a roadmap, it offers a reimagined way of showing up for others and for ourselves. “Great conversations don’t start with the perfect opener. They start with genuine interest, an open heart, and a willingness to listen” said Nadia and “in a world full of distractions and fleeting attention spans, the ability to truly connect is everything”.
For further information please visit www.ortjet.org.za