By Elyn Buscani, Business Development/Account Manager
Whether you’re heading to an office party or a professional event, I’m here to reduce your social stress level. As our team’s most extroverted member (verified in our recent DiSC assessments), I was in my happy place at the Northern Kentucky Chamber’s Women’s Initiative Summit in November, 2023 . It was a whole day of in-person networking with many fellow extroverts. Most of my Rasor team members do not share my enthusiasm, and you may not either. However, you can successfully network no matter what with these tips:
Know and own your power source – One of the most helpful books I’ve ever read is The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney. One is the key takeaways I had about my introverted loved ones that they’re conserving energy, not antisocial. Social events drain their energy, and they must have “down time” to recharge. Us extroverts gain energy from external stimuli (for example, a party), so it’s hard for us to relate to that feeling. Laney reports that the brains of each type are wired differently and that BOTH personality types have their advantages. For example, introverts tend to be more contemplative and are less likely to say something not well-reasoned. The extroverts tend to have their language centers more closely linked to action; hence an extrovert is more likely to “put a foot in (their) mouth.”
Buddy up – Just like working out with friends makes you more accountable for your fitness routine, networking with friends will make you more likely to sign up for events and make networking more enjoyable. Plus, you can theoretically make twice as many connections.
Read body language – If you’re walking into a room where people are standing in groups, some will be more welcoming than others. Are people standing with enough space to welcome others? Are they smiling and looking approachable, or staring at their phones? Your own body language is important as well. Are you making eye contact and trying to look open? If you’re really shy, you can station yourself near an approachable group and they may reach out to you.
Connect authentically – Do you see people who were in the same workshop you attended, and you could discuss it? If people are wearing nametags with any personal information, look for potential connections such as through their company, their industry, or their geography. Do you know someone they work with? Do they work in an industry you’re genuinely curious about? Do you want a good restaurant recommendation or follow their city’s sports team? The main thing is to ask a softball question that they can answer easily with more than a simply a “yes” or “no”. Then, you either gain more information to keep the conversation going or a sense of whether you should make a graceful exit. The main thing you don’t want to do is come on too strongly with the first impression.
Build momentum – Give yourself some grace because introverts are preferred by the majority according to data collected by Myers Briggs. So, you may find networking to be easier than you expect.