Networking for People Who Hate Networking

Repost from Baseline Magazine

By Dennis McCafferty on 2010-08-13

Hate the interpersonal aspects of career advancement? Networking for People Who Hate Networking could be the book for you. The fact is that your distaste for networking is far from unusual, but it's holding you back. An IT pro usually can't move up the ladder or get a great, new job on talent and performance alone. The good news is that there are many ways to overcome resistance to networking and emerge as a more engaging, sociable person as a result. In the new book, Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected (Berrett-Koehler/now available), author Devora Zack reveals a host of easy-to-adapt best practices and simple tricks that can help anyone succeed at these events. Zack is president of Only Connect Consulting Inc., which provides coaching to more than 100 clients, including SAIC, AOL, the Smithsonian Institution, the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Education. Here are some of the more insights from the book:

1. At least 50 percent of Americans are introverts who are naturally disinclined to pursue traditional, in-person networking.

2. Are You an Introvert?
Introverts are reflective, focused and self-reliant. Extroverts are verbal, expansive and social in nature.

3. Being Introverted is Fine
Introverts are often valued team members. They think before speaking, focus on projects, and don't need a lot of hand-holding.

4. Why Introverts Hate Networking
Introverts need time to trust someone new to them.

5. Why Introverts Hate Networking
Introverts envision potential embarrassments at an event and talk themselves out of attending.

6. Why Introverts Hate Networking
Introverts loathe self-promotion; they feel good work should speak for itself.

7. Better Networking
You don't need to be a big talker to be a good networker. Good listeners are greatly appreciated.

8. Better Networking
Small social blunders can be overcome with a disarming, humorous comment or an e-mail the next day.

9. Better Networking
Show your interest what others do, and they will invest effort in getting to know you.

10. Better Networking
Pre-register and pre-pay for events to keep from backing out at the last minute.

11. Better Networking
Buddy up with someone you trust to encourage you.

12. Better Networking
Volunteer. You may feel better at an event if you have a designated role to perform.

13. Better Networking
Check out the nametag table. You may find a familiar name or company for an easy conversation-starter.

14. Better Networking
Arrive early. It's less intimidating to enter an uncrowded room.

15. Better Networking
Jot down a few notes about people you meet on the back of their business cards for later reference.

16. Better Networking
Relax. You might not feel a connection with everyone you meet. Move on.