Probably right, but on the other hand there are plenty of people who know "important" people via a small network or family ties, but wouldn't fit the bill for C

Probably right, but on the other hand there are plenty of people who know "important" people via a small network or family ties, but wouldn't fit the bill for CEO of a company. I was more talking about the types that have a few connections through dumb luck vs actually putting themselves out there. also, hustle: "to sell or promote energetically and aggressively," via Merriam-Webster.