The Heart of Networking Is the HeART of Connecting

By Casey Carpenter, Speak & Own It Communications
​As a naturally shy Introvert, how did I move from fearing networking (I meditated and gave myself a pep talk before my first WIB meeting) to truly enjoying the experience? Fortunately, our Chamber invests resources to support our networking skills.  And there’s an art to it. Done with generosity of heart, I believe the power of networking boosts connection, engagement, and awareness of who you are and who you serve. This eventually translates into revenue for your business. ​

This can happen anywhere, not only at events that require a “Hello…My Name Is” badge. But before you deliver your 30-second pitch to everyone within ten feet, there are some guidelines to help you show up authentically.

Here are a few of my best practices that you can use too. Strive for genuine connection. Go beyond “So…what do you do?” or “Where do you work?” and ask more creative questions. Here are a few of my favorites:
• “What brought you to this event today?”
• “Who are you looking to meet here today?”
• “What are you working on that’s got you really excited?”
• “What inspired you to join the Chamber?”

Tapping into the theme of art, in my spare time I am a museum docent. The word “curate” comes up a lot in museum talk. I got curious about the word and found that “curate” means “to care for.” Museums have professional curators on staff who select the works to be exhibited. They research each piece’s background as well as the artist. Each work of art tells a story…and it’s the stories that draw us closer and want us to learn more. We engage with and respect the art more when we know its story! 

If you were a curator of people, what would that mean? How might you show up differently? You might ask someone to share their story. How did they get where they are today? You would give first by holding precious conversational space. You’d listen generously and seek to understand before talking about yourself. They would feel amazingly good in your presence.

And yet there are some techniques that just are not artful. They don’t have heart nor art. Here’s what doesn’t work:
• Treating networking like a cold calling opportunity where you “spray and pray”
• Listening poorly and remembering nothing
• Putting everyone you meet on your e-mail list (that can of SPAM is so old!)
• Being inauthentic. No one wants to have a “networking conversation”
• Being “me” centered
• Prejudging
• Having a short-term focus – networking inconsistently & expecting instant results
• Hanging around with the same people/people just like you
• Expecting referrals without people trusting you first – you have to earn referrals So, the heart of networking is the art of connecting!

At your next opportunity, try some of the things I recommended. And please let me know how they worked out for you! Email me at [email protected].

Casey Carpenter is an executive leadership coach, speaker, and author. She founded Speak & Own It Communications for organizations and women who want to improve their communication, presence, and leadership so that they make an indelible impression and nail it every single time they speak.