Networking or Brown Nosing?

I think that there is a fine line when it comes to networking. I keep on reading that it is important to network - "If you want to fly with eagles, you have to hang out with eagles and learn how they do it." But I am always worried about the soft under belly of "blind ambition with no content" or making it by because of who you know, not what you know.

I truly believe in the theory of six degrees of separation - or as in Canada it should be known as one degree of separation. Way too many times the chain of connection is way too close.

Networking in my experience is making connections with people. You do not have to have a goal other than making connections and being willing to give. Network yes, but be sincere and make sure you put in the hard work to go where you want to go.