40: How to Make Networking Humane

This episode explores the balance between honoring people and expanding professional opportunities in the context of networking. It was sparked by Laura Dreyer’s comment on a previous blog post about valuing people for who they are and not what they do. I also share my best advice for approaching networking events if you dread or dislike them.

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Ideas

• Take a “both and” perspective and approach
• Go with a plan and a specific mindset
• Set your own minimum success criteria
  • Meet a certain number of people
  • Stay for a certain amount of time
• Have a childlike curiosity–figure out what that other person is really about
• Listen with your whole being–check out “What is Good Listening? (014)“
• Bring business cards–make your own for your side-hustle
  • Vistaprint
  • Moo Cards

Topics and Resources

• Venture capitalist Brad Feld describes his experiences at an entrepreneurship program in a prison
  • This inspired my own volunteer coaching work at a prison
• Vanessa Van Edwards gives interesting advice on social situations and reading other people
  • Website
  • Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People
• Magnet Networking events by Bassam Tarazi
• Icebreaker Questions by Claire Lew (not mentioned in the episode)

Credits

• Hallon by Christian Bjoerklund
• Cold Funk by Kevin MacLeod
• Original photo source

All songs licensed under Creative Commons