Let’s stop networking. Instead, let’s start connecting and helping. When you start looking at networking as a way to help people, it gets a lot easier. This means that, while you are getting your bearings, you can let people come to you. This is far easier than trying to force yourself to start conversations before you’re ready to do so. Inevitably you’ll see one of your connections need something. Now what you must do is follow through on your offers. One of the best parts of making progress in your career is having the means to lend a hand to those who are still working their way up. Grow, Baby, Grow The nice thing about this approach is that it takes the awkwardness of networking and turns it into an introvert-friendly and organic connection process. Most of the people you meet will be just like you: forcing themselves to do something incredibly awkward that they hate because they know it will help grow their companies.
No matter how far you advance your career, networking is likely never going to be something you enjoy. And for the introverted among us, it can feel like we’re being forced back into those endless icebreaker exercises we had to do at corporate retreats while we were coming up. So, let’s stop.
Wait, what?
You read that correctly. Let’s stop networking. Instead, let’s start connecting and helping.
When you start looking at networking as a way to help people, it gets a lot easier. Remember what Jim Rohn once said: “If you help enough people get what they want, inevitably you get what you want.” Here’s how you do it.
Be Approachable
Networking and industry meet-and-greets are inherently uncomfortable, even for the extroverted out there. Thankfully, as someone who has already worked her way up the ladder, you are now the connection people hope to gain. This means that, while you are getting your bearings, you can let people come to you. This is far easier than trying to force yourself to start conversations before you’re ready to do so.
The Buddy System
You’re never too old or too high up the food chain to eschew the buddy system. In this instance, what you’re going to do is pair up with someone extroverted. The extroverts among us are fantastic at taking the leap to make introductions and striking up conversations in uncomfortable environments. As someone more introverted, your strength is keeping the conversation going by asking questions and paying…
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