Seek Quality Over Quantity: Tips for Networking
“Connection is why we’re here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.”
Yesterday, I spent a wonderful few hours at the CHS event at the Royal Armouries in sunny Leeds. The event was fantastic, offering the chance to reconnect with old friends and make wonderful new acquaintances.
Here are my top five networking tips:
Listen First, Talk Second: The Power of Active Engagement
Great conversations come from genuine curiosity and listening actively. Ask thoughtful questions and engage in real discussions to build those connections. Ditch the sales pitch or elevator speech. Let your profession come up naturally in conversation.
Create Curiosity People connect with people. Focus more on making a connection than making an impression. For example, the simpler you can answer the question, “What do you do?”, the easier it is to establish a connection. You’ve opened the door. In the first few minutes of a conversation, you want to inspire and create curiosity. I recommend initially trying to describe what you do for work as aspirational rather than task-specific. Ask yourself the question: How does what I do relate to my industry or the world? You don’t need to be a Nobel Prize nominee to make a difference somewhere; display good energy and a positive outlook and people will respond.
A Simple ‘Hello’ Makes a Difference: Breaking Down Barriers
Don't underestimate the power of a friendly “hello” to create a welcoming atmosphere. It's those initial interactions that set the tone. We had a great example of this during lunch when we played "two truths and a lie." It was a fantastic icebreaker that encouraged everyone to share and connect in a fun way. Be the person who makes others feel included.
Be Positive, Kind, and Authentic: Leave your ego behind. Networking is about genuine relationships, so treat everyone with kindness, respect, and a desire to learn from them. Authenticity is key for building trust.
Bring a friend. This is especially helpful for introverts and shy people. Knowing at least one person in the room is a huge stress-reliever.
Networking is about building those meaningful relationships, not just swapping contact details. You can transform your networking by listening, being friendly, and being genuine. It’s about making everyone feel valued and informed.
And as Reid Hoffman said, "Your network is the people who want to help you, and you want to help them, and that’s really powerful." Networking is a skill, so keep practicing and learning!
