"Go to networking events." "Build your network." "Who's in your network?" These are phrases I've heard all too frequently. Honestly, I hate the word networking. Absolutely hate it. To me, it sounds like a selfish pursuits of self-interest. It's a lot of tailored sales pitches to try and lure in as many people as possible to take an interest. A lot of 5-minute acquaintances that are supposed to somehow build my worth in the community, and land me a dream job. A lot of awkward finger food and tiny sips of beverage in an attempt to look approachable by other business folk. In my eyes, networking is the speed dating of the business world. A repetitive pitch that has been perfected to get a few offers from the other side of the table.
This isn't to say that I don't like talking to folk. I'd like to think I'm extraverted and make an effort to find out more about people at events. Do I seek people who might be of interest to me? Yes. But do I think there's a better way to do so? Absolutely. This is what I would consider meeting people.
In meeting people, we have the sales pitch and polished cover, but now we've added another level. In meeting people, we take an active interest in them, and focus less on us. The cynical associations to networking are diminished and replaced with a genuine interest. In meeting people, the deeper questions can be asked, and a personality to the sales pitch is unearthed. More often than not, it is the genuine, less guarded personality that creates the connection. Not the honed sales pitch. By meeting people, we lose the buzzwords that computer software uses to filter, and we gain a conversation with another person. At the end of the day, we must never forget that the people we meet are not just peons sent by a corporation, but are in fact people with beliefs and interests.
Now the question is: Thomas, should I avoid networking events? No, but what should be avoided at these events is the focus solely on the sales pitch, and the focus what they can do for me. At these events, meet people. Get to know who they are, what they do, and sometimes more importantly, why they do it. You'll find that taking interest in others may often make them take interest in you.
To sum up, a friend once told me that he would feel comfortable getting a drink with anyone on his LinkedIn. That's what a proper network is. It's not a catch-em-all group of people, but rather a collection of connections that you are comfortable with helping, and are comfortable with them helping you.
So friends, if you go out and meet people, you might be able to build your network.
Write a comment