This week I have the opportunity to speak and facilitate a session at the incredible Women Impact Tech conference in downtown Denver.
It's happening tomorrow and I'm thrilled, honored and nervous!
Ahead of the event, I've been thinking a lot about how and why we network.
Sure, it's a core skill for our professional lives, but how many of us ever really remember much about those connections we make?
I've also been thinking about how having a solid network can help us find better balance in our personal lives too, because when life is busy and you're running constantly and always working hard, having a network of people around you can really support you.
All that said, connecting with people is a true skill.
Think about the last time you were at a networking event. Can you really remember any of the people you connected with?
Can you remember their stories, the point of view they shared, or the reason why they love what they do?
Perhaps you didn't even ask?
It's easy to see networking as a way to build our contacts list and our LinkedIn connections. The problem is we rarely remember anything about the person because we haven't made any real authentic connection.
I think we have a vital chance to make our connections more than just a list of names and numbers. Let's genuinely get interested in each other and bring our authenticity. Let's get vulnerable.
Because I suggest it’s not what you do, it’s about how you want to be seen, and how you want others to see you…
What would happen if we could consciously create a deeper, more meaningful interaction?
Here's 2 questions you can ask yourself next time you find yourself in a networking situation:
What 3 things do you want people to be saying and feeling about you when you leave the conversation?
What impression do you want to leave behind?
Networking can be really powerful when we learn to bring authenticity about ourselves and vulnerability to the stories we share.
The thing is that if we don't work on this we can be in danger of coming off as disinterested and disingenuous, and it can make it hard for people to trust you.
This is especially true if you are a leader because your team and colleagues are looking for signs of your vulnerability to help them decide if they can trust you.
So if you want to take your networking skills to the next level either for your personal or professional growth, and want to discover ways to bring authenticity and vulnerability to your connections, I invite you to book a call with me.
And if you are someone who finds the thoughts of networking terrifying, you are not alone. I can help you get past those fears with practical tips.
Click on the "Book Now" button kin the menu bar and we can set up a time to talk. I’d love that.
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