Do you dislike networking? Why is that?
Do you lack skill in this area or is something else holding you back?
Do you want to be a more effective networker?
Often professionals considering a career move or seeking a new position ask how important networking is to success. My reply? “Networking is critical to your career.”
When I inquire as to why they are asking, their answers vary. Here are the most common replies from my clients:
“I am not a skilled networker.”
“Making small talk is not my thing, that’s why I don’t like to network.”
“Starting a one-on-one conversation is frightening. I just can’t do it.”
“I find silence dreadful.”
“Networking seems like a waste of my time.”
“If networking is what it takes to get a promotion, I am worried about being promoted.”
Do any of these sound like you?
Professionals need networking skills. At work, and in the world, you need to be able to effectively connect, engage and communicate with different people in various settings. One of the best ways to develop networking skills is repeated practice of solid techniques.
Though, for many of my clients the challenge of effective networking is not totally about skill. The actual issues can range from less than effective venues to support their goals to the type of networking they have selected to poor networking techniques. Any of these issues can result in time invested with limited results leaving your feeling like networking is just a waste of your time.
For other clients, the challenges revolve around fears or beliefs about networking. The big fears that show up for my clients are:
- Fear of starting a conversation
- Fear of not knowing what to say
- Fear of saying the wrong thing
- Fear of trying something outside of your comfort zone
Here is a quick assignment to help you see what you need to tackle first. Jot down your answers to the following questions:
- What do you dislike about networking?
- What do you believe about networking?
- Do you want to improve your networking skills and/or networking venues?
- Are you happy and content with your current level of networking success?
Now that you have noted your answers, you will know what to tackle first. Your answers will also help you determine if skill, fear or some combination is your biggest challenge.
Your next step is simple. Decide what, if anything, you want to change. Is this an area worth tackling? You can start today and be networking more effectively by the end of the week. You can discover more about tackling your challenges <here>.
Do you have a question or comment? Post it below or give me a call. I am happy answer your questions.
Wonderful post about what stops a lot of us from effectively networking. I have to confess, I am one of those people. It isn’t the fact of networking, it is the thought of it. I’ve done it….but I the truth is that I dislike the thought of new faces staring at me….
Lilia, Thank you for your honest sharing of the thought and dislike that stops you. Know what you dislike ‘now faces staring’ lets you act for a place of knowledge and fact. Thanks for sharing. Have an amazing day!
Thanks Cindy, I have such a fear of networking and I would love to change this. I like how you break down the steps for me!
I actually love networking – but I do self-identify as an expressive/extrovert… So people actually really fuel my energy. I have come to see how networking events can drain people though and I like your introspective and thoughtful questions. It’s great to uncover resistors that stand in our way!
I’m sort of in the middle on the introvert/extravert continuum (an outgoing introvert.) What helps me in networking situations is to have a “job” to do, like being on a committee or working the registration desk at an event. Even when I don’t have an official role, I think of myself as a host. That shift in mindset helps me forget about nervousness and focus on helping other people feel comfortable.