How Hugh Hunt Turned Networking into a Superpower

It’s the entrepreneur’s conundrum: How do you know when it’s time to make the leap and go out on your own?

That’s where Hugh Hunt found himself. 

He had been selling insurance for a brokerage for just over five years. He was a top performer and ready for a bigger challenge. But a noncompete clause meant he couldn’t launch his own business for a set period of time. 

“In the meantime, I knew I wanted to work with local businesses, and I wanted to get into tech,” he said. “So I found the opportunity to help launch a new co-working space in Durham, NC, called Provident 1898. That’s where I met Brian Alvo, and he introduced me to NextGen Center and the Foundation for Effective Leadership program.”

The timing couldn’t have been better.

Within weeks, Hunt finished out his contract at the coworking space and began mapping out his business launch. At the same time, he began the Foundation’s 5-month program, meeting other entrepreneurs and emerging leaders just like himself and doing some deeply personal development work — work he didn’t really know he needed.

“One of the first things I learned was the art of having a conversation,” Hunt said. “We used a coaching framework, and that really really helped me because I was experiencing some difficulties communicating effectively in a way that could move people. I started applying the skills I learned in the program and it immediately had an impact on me.

Then we got into personality types and did assessments. That information gave me an invaluable amount of confidence and understanding of myself and other people that I've never had before. I just had a deeper understanding of myself and others around me. That is life-changing for me.”

For Hunt, anyone going into a development program like the Foundation for Effective Leadership should have an entirely open mind.

“Be ready to discover things about yourself and other people,” he said. “You learn so much about yourself and about other people. I do love entrepreneurship, but I'm a creative person. And I’ve struggled with being led by others. I didn't really understand leadership as much as I thought I did. And so not only did I learn to be a better leader, but I also learned how to be led.”

Hunt also found a valuable relationship with Alvo, having him facilitate the program and also as a coach.

“Every time I interact with Brian, whether it is through email or phone or in person, it's 100% genuine. He is an amazing person, so to have the opportunity to know him and then build a relationship with him, and have him as a contact within your network, is worth the time, in addition to what you get from the program.”

The networking aspect was another unexpected but highly valuable aspect of his experience. Hunt noted that he feels comfortable reaching out to nearly every single member of his cohort with complete confidence that the person will respond. 

“And they know that I will be there for them whenever they need me,” he said.