Networking – it may be all it’s cracked up to be

When I got to Simon, one of the first things they told us at orientation was that networking was essential. To be honest, I didn’t get this whole networking thing and it seemed pretty fake. I felt like someone was telling me go pretend to be interested in this person because he or she could get my foot in the door at a particular company or introduce me to someone who could help me fulfill my career goals. For someone who may possibly be as see-through as shrink wrap when it comes to faking, pretending to be interested in someone just for the sake of making a connection was definitely a bad idea.

However after spending a whole year at Simon I’ve come to have a different perspective of networking.

Perhaps I didn’t understand it that well in the beginning. However, I am now one its greatest fans; through networking I’ve met some pretty exceptional people. For me it’s driven more by genuine, rather than contrived, interest.

Whenever I approach someone I really want to know his or her story or get some solid advice on how to approach a particular task. Sometimes I’m just curious about his or her views on a certain issue. Regardless of my reasons (I opted for reasons because motives just sounds sinister) the interest is real.

I always pursue goals I am passionate about because that passion propels me to invest the time and energy necessary to reach my ambitions. That passion is communicated through my words and my body antics. I speak more freely; there is more excitement in my voice. People can tell I really want to know; they can tell I’m really interested in them, their perspectives and their advice.

This is my approach to networking – I only approach if I have a genuine and really strong interest. Apathy is detected easily, unless you’re a really good actor/actress, and this too is communicated via your body language and antics. Why would someone want to invest the time and energy in helping you if they can clearly see your attitude is one of indifference?

When I think back to how I met all the amazing people I now know, it wasn’t a meticulously laid out plan of pretense. I feel like my excitement for what I wanted to do had a snowball effect that led persons I met to introduce or recommend me to other persons they thought could help and so on. Now I know this invaluable group of people whom I thoroughly respect and often ask for advice in various areas. Dennis, my fellow blogger, is one of such people.

And speaking of Dennis, as predicted, he conducted a very educational workshop at Simon on the topic of “Market Need, Opportunity and Idea Formation.”  The turnout was so great that we had to switch to a larger room! But don’t worry, we will soon give you a glimpse into Dennis’ great presentation.