One of the coolest things about being listed in Forbes as a top networking expert is that people ask my opinion on all things networking. But every once in a while, I don’t have an immediate answer to their inquiry. That’s what happened when Newsweek asked me to comment in their article, 15 Strategies to Make Networking Feel More Natural.
On this one, I had to think. Because the truth is, the answer is not a one size fits all.
Feeling natural networking depends on who you are and your particular preferences around networking. There is a common stereotypical image of networking. It’s usually that extroverted image of somebody who is holding and captivating everyone’s attention, working the crowd, putting everybody at ease, and going up to strangers.
That image may be called socializing, but it is not necessarily networking, and it’s certainly not connecting. This preconceived image is also one that doesn’t work for everyone and certainly doesn’t feel natural for many out there.
If we want to think about how to make networking, (or as I prefer to call it, connecting), feel more natural, I think we need to start from how you like to connect with others.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to identify your networking preferences:
- What environments do you like to connect with: large or small group, social, academic, or professional, etc.?
- What topics do you like to connect about: what are your interests, hobbies, or experiences you are willing to talk about?
- Do you prefer to put yourself in a position of asking questions and listening or do you prefer to tell stories and share?
- Do you like to be in person or online?
When you start to understand your strengths and preferences around networking, you can then create an environment in which it feels most natural to you.
There are a lot of ideas, whatever environment you’re in, to navigate networking more easily. The one I shared is, of course, one of the mindsets of a connector.
Simply be curious while being social. My advice is to learn about the other person. What I like to say is, “Don’t get right down to business!” Because when we connect, it’s not about what we do, but what we like to do, our common experiences, people, places, causes, values, and dreams.
However you like to do it… get curious, get comfortable, and get connected.
Want more ideas, check out the other 14 ideas in the article 15 Strategies to Make Networking Feel More Natural.