Networking Neglect: The High Price of Professional Isolation and Strategies to Unlock Growth

I will admit it, I am an introvert. What it means is that I prefer to draw energy from quiet contemplation. I am uncomfortable in large crowds and so-called networking events. I usually end up hanging out with the one or two people I already know from before. Sometimes I wonder if a 30-minute bear crawl workout might be preferable to mingling and making perfunctory conversations with random strangers. Social media companies would consider me a lurker or observer.

Does this sound familiar? Not expanding your network is costing you big time in terms of professional growth, whether it’s landing projects with other teams in your org or a job at another company. Raise your hand if you are this person and are feeling stuck in the ‘I am an introvert mindset’, whether defiantly introverted or regrettably introverted.

Networking Reimagined 

Introverts, don’t despair. There is reason to be optimistic. There are ways to work around and even leverage your contemplative nature and ability to listen. These techniques are inspired from my training as a coach and from pointers I have gleaned from books like the networking bible, Never Eat Alone, by Keith Ferrazzi.

• Set intention: Acknowledge that you want to work towards expanding your relationships.

• Define your purpose: What is your goal for building new relationships - connecting with investors, meeting folks in similar careers at other companies etc.

• Be SMART: Hold yourself accountable to your objectives: 

  • Frame measurable and time bound goals around building relationships. For example, in Q1, meet at least 3 people who work in companies doing leading edge work with generative AI. 

  • Get yourself an accountability partner, a friend or coach who can check in with you periodically to make sure that your energy doesn’t fizzle out.

• Dread small talk? Embrace meaningful talk. Build a more meaningful connection with a person using powerful questions.

  • Be intellectually curious about their work: Powerful questions in this context may be:

    • “I understand that you have been working in this area for a while, what energizes you about the work?”

    • “What’s important about that?”

    • “What challenges do you encounter? How do you overcome them?“

  • Learn about their hobbies: A question here may sound like: “Your work sounds stressful. How do you decompress? Gardening and running help me reset after a difficult day.”

  • Stay in touch: Exchange email addresses or connect over LinkedIn. Be sure to follow up after the meeting with a quick note. Set up a recurring coffee chat every 3-6 months as appropriate.

  • Note down any highlights of your conversation so that you can pick up the conversation smoothly the next time you meet.

• Don’t be ‘that person’: Don’t immediately ask for a recommendation or referral. Instead, be generous, ask how you can help them.

• Act now!: You know what they say, ‘practice makes perfect’ . Don’t beat yourself up if the first couple of conversations bomb. Reflect, tune your approach, and get back in the game! 

Game on! You’ve got this!