Networking has officially become a buzzword. Not recently, of course. It is, however, getting more criticism. Some folk are refusing to use the term, thinking of networking as an act, a play to be sure you can get what you want from someone at a later time. Some believe networking is full of fake smiles and insincere it was great meeting yous.
It’s hard to argue about it. Networking really is a game of give and take, except, in networking’s defense, if everyone agrees to it, then is it wrong. (Don’t blow that statement out of proportion.) No one goes into networking events unwilling to give and no one goes into them unwilling to take. It’s not a game of cat and mouse, it’s a game of human interaction.
I do have one bone to pick about networking events. More and more I’m seeing those who attend them not enjoying themselves. They talk to those who they think they should talk to. They will stand talking with one person who they know they don’t connect with. They’ll waste an evening searching for a possible future exchange they can make with someone when it’s not there.
I said everyone at networking events are there to give and take, but each has its limits. Not everyone there will be able to help you, yet we think they will.
It’s not hard to pause in conversation with someone who you’re truly not enjoying conversing with to say, “Excuse me, there is another person I wanted to connect with tonight. If you would like to chat again, here’s my card.” And move on.
Networking, sure, is about putting your talents out there for others and looking for others’ talents you can use, but it’s also for enjoying yourself, making friends, not partners.
Friendship is an exchange too. More valuable, I would be willing to argue, than the skills of someone you meet at the event.
Stay Positive & Enjoy Yourself, Always
