If you are an introvert, the simple thought of networking may send a bit of fear down your spine. The idea of having to network at a large event used to repulse me. The prospect of having small talk conversations with so many people in such a short time was intimidating! The reality is that networking is too important to ignore; however, it doesn’t need to be something that is difficult. Here are 3 networking tips for introverts that can help you improve your networking game.
Change Your Mindset
Many people approach networking through the sphere of what they will get out of it. However, this is a very narrow way of perceiving the value that comes from networking. Instead, it should be viewed as a two-way street. You are not simply seeking to get something out of your network but also to contribute to others. You have things to share as well such as your experiences, knowledge, perspectives, and contacts. This can be a great way for introverts to see greater value.
Additionally, networking does not have to be – and perhaps should not be – transactional. It should be transformational. If you’ve read about the differences between transactional and transformational leadership, you know what we’re talking about. If not, the goal is to view networking as building relationships that help empower others whether they be of a mentoring nature or of mutual colleagues at the same level. This means getting to know people on a deeper level and can often be seen as a more valuable way of approaching it for introverts.
Research People in Advance
The internet has brought about many benefits; however, one of the most important ones is information. If networking with people is something you dislike because of the awkwardness or discomfort that often comes with it, taking time to research participants and speakers online can be an effective technique to succeed more at networking. This can make you feel prepared and take some of the stress away.
LinkedIn is a great way to learn about others as is a simple Google search. When doing research about others for networking, focus on learning a bit about their prior experiences. You can also learn about common interests. This can help you to start conversations and also to engage in talking about much more meaningful things than simply discussing the weather or the local sports team.
Follow Up
The purpose of networking is to build a collection of people that you can contact to help with their needs or to help with your own. Networks are great resources of information. However, having a network means periodically engaging in it. Thus, you want to be sure to follow up with people in your network periodically.
One tactic that can help introverts with this is to schedule reminders, often weeks or months ahead, for following up. This can involve sending a card, shooting over an email, or sending a LinkedIn message. Following up with your network will help to continue to grow the relationship. You can also continue to network in other ways such as commenting on what people post on LinkedIn or sharing your own thoughts and experiences there.
Conclusion
Networking is often something that introverts may be tempted to avoid because it is outside of their comfort zone. However, there are many things introverts can do to enhance their networking skills. Following these three tips is a great way to increase the success of your networking.
Ultimately, be sure not to neglect the power of networking just because it may seem difficult or tiring. The fact is that building these intentional relationships can help you to contribute value to others while also being integral in helping you achieve your own career goals. You can find additional tips to thrive at work as an introvert in this blog post.
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