Networking. The word itself even scares Chuck Norris. It often brings to mind images of slimy car salesman giving out business cards and people being inauthentic, simply seeing what you can do for them. Well here’s the deal: “Networking” is just talking to people. It really is that simple. The last time you sat down across from someone and you each sipped a cup of joe, you were networking.
The #1 fear I hear that people have around “networking” is that they don’t want to feel gross/inauthentic/schmoozy. What it really comes down to is people don’t want to put on their “networking mojo” in order to make connections. So don’t. No one else wants to experience you being smarmy and trying to get something.
Shift your paradigm. I believe that the next time you’re in an individual or a group “networking” setting, if you approach it committed to adding value to the people there, you’ll be successful. My friend (and excellent career coach) Kristine Oller suggests playing “The Golden Nugget Game.” The next time you go to a networking event, go with the intention of giving one golden nugget and receiving one golden nugget.
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