Episode 4 - From Networking Anxieties to Networking Mastery

[00:00:00] Hello and welcome to Eloquence Echoes with Tanuja, where you are empowered with tips

[00:00:07] to move from being just a communicator to a brilliant communicator.

[00:00:13] Do you also feel apprehensive, fearful or stressed when it comes to networking activities such

[00:00:20] as attending events, making connections and engaging in conversations with unfamiliar

[00:00:27] people?

[00:00:29] If yes, you're not alone.

[00:00:32] I was like this once upon a time until I came across these beautiful strategies which I'm

[00:00:41] going to share today with you to help you navigate from networking anxiety to networking

[00:00:49] mastery.

[00:00:50] Yes, that's the topic for our episode today.

[00:00:55] From networking anxiety to networking mastery.

[00:01:00] Whether you are a young professional or an aspiring entrepreneur or already an entrepreneur,

[00:01:07] networking is a valuable skill that you must learn.

[00:01:11] Why?

[00:01:12] Because it has so many benefits.

[00:01:16] First, it exposes you to new opportunities such as job openings, business partnerships

[00:01:23] and learning experiences.

[00:01:25] Second, it helps you to learn from others, gain industry insights and stay updated with

[00:01:32] trends and developments.

[00:01:34] Third, very important networking helps you build a support system of the like-minded

[00:01:40] individuals, mentors and advisors who can offer guidance and encouragement when you need

[00:01:45] it.

[00:01:46] Last but not the least, it contributes to your professional growth by expanding your contacts,

[00:01:53] enhancing visibility and increasing your credibility within your industry.

[00:01:59] So how do you do that?

[00:02:01] How do you overcome the sea of networking anxieties?

[00:02:08] I'm going to share with you the three secrets in the form of a map that will help

[00:02:15] you slowly sail through the turbulence of networking anxieties to the calmness of networking mastery.

[00:02:25] Map here stands for acronym MAP.

[00:02:31] Each letter of the acronym is a secret step to help you navigate through these turbulent

[00:02:39] waters into calm seas.

[00:02:43] One stands for mindset shift.

[00:02:48] I always believe that in communication, the most important thing is your intention.

[00:02:55] What is your approach towards any kind of interaction with the other person?

[00:03:02] Your intention determines your action and then your result.

[00:03:09] So the mindset shift that you have to bring about is how you approach the networking event.

[00:03:18] The first shift in your mindset is have an intention to give instead of to get.

[00:03:29] Almost all of us attend a networking event with the intention of what is in it for me,

[00:03:34] what will I get?

[00:03:35] Who should I meet so that my career gets accelerated growth?

[00:03:42] I should meet so and so people for sure.

[00:03:44] We are always looking or intending to meet people with the intention of getting something

[00:03:51] out of them, getting some benefit out of them.

[00:03:54] Please change that attitude, that approach instead of have a mindset to give.

[00:03:59] How can I contribute to the person I meet, to the person I connect to?

[00:04:06] Second mindset shift that you have to bring about is how can I be receptive to the learning

[00:04:14] and the growth that the other person has to offer?

[00:04:18] Instead of is this person useful for me?

[00:04:22] You are more aggressive and seeking your benefit from the other person.

[00:04:29] When you are receptive, you are humble and when you are humble, you will always learn something

[00:04:36] with the other.

[00:04:38] The third mindset shift is networking is about building connections, not perfection.

[00:04:47] Never approach a networking event to build a strong impression on the person you meet.

[00:04:57] That is the reason you are under so much of pressure to make a strong impression.

[00:05:03] So with these three mindset shifts that what can I contribute, what can I give, how can

[00:05:10] I be more receptive to learning and it's all about making a connection and not perfection.

[00:05:17] You are going to prep yourself up 50% to face any networking event smoothly without

[00:05:26] tension.

[00:05:28] The second letter A of MAP stands for Advanced Action.

[00:05:34] This is going to further make you confident before any networking event.

[00:05:41] What advanced action you need to take?

[00:05:43] This involves preparing yourself before the show.

[00:05:46] It is a key to feel confident in networking situations because to be prepared is half

[00:05:54] the victory.

[00:05:56] It is not just showing up, it is showing up prepared that makes you confident.

[00:06:01] Remember your school days?

[00:06:03] The test in the exam became so easy when you were well prepared.

[00:06:08] So what do you have to prepare?

[00:06:10] Number one, research the attendees and the topics of interest before the event.

[00:06:17] Now you don't have to research on all the attendees if there are say 100 plus

[00:06:23] attendees.

[00:06:24] No, no need to do that.

[00:06:25] In fact, you wouldn't even know who all are attending.

[00:06:28] But the prominent ones, the ones with whom you want to connect to will be available to

[00:06:36] know through the posters and through the information that is shared about the networking

[00:06:41] event, the advertisements or else you can ask the organizers always.

[00:06:47] Know about them through their LinkedIn profile, through their other social media platforms,

[00:06:52] what kind of topics they are more interested in.

[00:06:54] This will help you to sustain the conversations with them once you connect with them in the

[00:07:00] event.

[00:07:02] Second thing that you have to prepare is a specific goal for that event.

[00:07:09] By goal, I mean your target should be to connect with two or three people max.

[00:07:19] Number one, what is it that I will do most focus on discuss what trend of the industry

[00:07:25] with the people I meet.

[00:07:28] I don't say it by this that you don't speak to other people and don't talk on any other

[00:07:32] topic.

[00:07:33] No, but when you are focused, when you are having a ball in front of you, your direction

[00:07:39] becomes easy.

[00:07:40] The action that you will take in that direction will become easy.

[00:07:44] You do speak to others, talk to them, connect with them, but focus your connection and build

[00:07:50] up of that connection with two or three people only at max.

[00:07:54] This will take the pressure off your mind and will make you more confident in what

[00:08:01] you do and what you speak because you cannot just connect with everyone in one event.

[00:08:09] Third thing that you have to prepare is your elevator pitch.

[00:08:14] An elevator pitch is a brief introduction about yourself that highlights your skills, your

[00:08:18] experiences and your interests.

[00:08:21] Keep it concise, engaging and memorable.

[00:08:25] Make it no longer than a minute.

[00:08:29] Practice delivering your elevator pitch.

[00:08:32] This is important.

[00:08:34] The fourth thing that you have to prepare is your non-verbal communication, non-verbal

[00:08:40] language, especially when you're delivering your elevator pitch.

[00:08:44] So practice in front of a mirror.

[00:08:46] See what expressions you're getting on your face.

[00:08:49] Are you tensed?

[00:08:51] See how you stand, where you keep your hands when you are speaking.

[00:08:56] Avoid crossing your arms and legs when you stand and speak.

[00:09:00] Keep your hands in your pocket and have a pleasant expression on your face when you

[00:09:06] speak.

[00:09:08] Relaxed expression.

[00:09:09] As I said, go with the mindset, the right mindset that I've told you.

[00:09:13] Go with the advanced preparation.

[00:09:15] You will be 90% relaxed and confident.

[00:09:22] After this advanced action and the mindset shift, now you're ready to take action

[00:09:28] that is on the day of the event.

[00:09:32] In the event, what are you going to do?

[00:09:35] That is the letter P in the map.

[00:09:38] Powerful interactions.

[00:09:40] How can you make powerful interactions?

[00:09:42] Number one, buy your conversations.

[00:09:47] And number two is by the attitude that you adopt over there, which is largely dependent

[00:09:52] on your mindset shift and being very authentic.

[00:09:57] I'll take this up.

[00:09:58] Later, let me start with initiating conversations.

[00:10:03] Start by greeting and inappropriate hand gesture.

[00:10:10] Hand gesture could be a handshake which is becoming a norm these days or else.

[00:10:15] Whatever is the norm in the community or in that event that you are attending.

[00:10:20] If it's an Indian hand gesture like folding hands and saying Namaste, please follow that.

[00:10:26] If it is a handshake, please make a form handshake and not a fish handshake.

[00:10:34] Because the very first feeling the other person gets by shaking your hands is how you shake it.

[00:10:41] And it forms an impression immediately.

[00:10:45] Then tell your name.

[00:10:47] I am so-and-so.

[00:10:50] Avoid saying myself so-and-so.

[00:10:54] Myself is a raw English word to introduce yourself over here.

[00:11:00] Say I am so-and-so.

[00:11:04] If a person asks for your introduction, a formal introduction, you can see your

[00:11:09] inhibitor pitch.

[00:11:11] Be mindful of your nonverbal language that is the way you stand, the way you move your

[00:11:15] hands and your expressions on your face.

[00:11:19] Your tone should be confident and no, it should not be too excited nor it should be very agitated.

[00:11:28] Keep it normal.

[00:11:31] Now once you have established that connection, you've introduced yourself,

[00:11:37] further that conversation with the conversations darker.

[00:11:41] Usually in networking events, the conversations taught are based on the event itself.

[00:11:50] So you can talk about what the guest lecturer has told, if any new tool has been told or

[00:11:59] any new thing that you have learnt in that event, you can start with that.

[00:12:07] You can ask or you can tell first that this technique was very effective.

[00:12:14] What do you think about it?

[00:12:16] You can ask your connection with whomever you are talking.

[00:12:21] But when you do so, you have to keep in mind that the second or the third

[00:12:28] question that you ask should be open-ended.

[00:12:32] By open-ended question, you use the word, the question word as why, what, when, where, how.

[00:12:39] Which elicit a response that is in a sense a detailed one.

[00:12:45] It will not be yes or no and stop the conversation.

[00:12:49] However, be careful to ask relevant questions.

[00:12:54] Then when that person is answering or replying to your question, be attentive.

[00:13:03] Listen to the answer, especially listen for some clues that you can pick upon

[00:13:10] and build your next question or.

[00:13:14] For example, if it's an event, it's a seminar that is going on on cyber security

[00:13:21] and about the topic of that event is data security.

[00:13:26] And some tool or some software or some technique has been told in that.

[00:13:31] You can start discussion on that technique.

[00:13:34] And then if that person says, yes, this technique will be quite useful

[00:13:38] because I experienced so and so regarding my data security.

[00:13:44] Now when that person mentions I experienced this and this, that is a clue that you can pick up.

[00:13:50] And from there, you can build up the second question that how was that?

[00:13:56] How did you tackle that?

[00:13:57] How did you overcome that challenge of keeping your data secure from there?

[00:14:03] Similarly, you can build up further questions.

[00:14:06] Remember one thing over here.

[00:14:08] You don't have to be nosy.

[00:14:09] You don't have to ask too much in detail if a person doesn't want to share

[00:14:15] or else you'll put your connection off from that very moment.

[00:14:21] Next, so these were the conversation starters and the conversational

[00:14:28] sustenance techniques to keep your conversation flowing,

[00:14:33] connecting more deeply with someone.

[00:14:40] Now come to the attitude.

[00:14:41] That is the second thing which will add to the power of your relationships,

[00:14:47] to your connections that you make.

[00:14:49] Always listen actively.

[00:14:53] Active listening is the most important part of any interaction,

[00:14:59] anywhere personal or professional.

[00:15:01] So what is active listening?

[00:15:02] I've taken up this in detail in my previous episode.

[00:15:06] That is episode number three.

[00:15:08] I request you to go and listen to it if you've not already.

[00:15:14] It's only when you listen actively will you be able to pick up the clues

[00:15:18] which I mentioned earlier on which you can build up your conversation further

[00:15:24] and it will solve your problem of what to say next.

[00:15:27] How should I continue?

[00:15:29] There will be no awkward pauses over there or you will need to change

[00:15:33] the topic, nothing.

[00:15:35] Second attitudinal change or the right attitude you have to bring in is

[00:15:41] be authentic.

[00:15:44] This is so necessary.

[00:15:48] By being authentic I mean show genuine interest in getting to know the other person.

[00:15:55] Avoid being nosy but yes listen to their answers,

[00:15:58] listen to their concerns and the third thing that will show

[00:16:03] that you are genuinely interested in knowing them is the value that you provide.

[00:16:10] Offer assistance, share resources and look for ways to add value to your

[00:16:16] professional connections.

[00:16:20] With such conversations and attitude you are definitely going to build a

[00:16:29] powerful relationship at the start only.

[00:16:31] On the first day you will obviously make a good impression on the other person.

[00:16:38] Now this is just a connection made.

[00:16:40] You exchange your contacts, your email ID, everything.

[00:16:47] How do you keep this further?

[00:16:49] How do you build a relationship after the networking event is over?

[00:16:55] First, stay connected.

[00:17:00] Keep in touch.

[00:17:02] Maintain regular communication with your contacts through emails, phone calls,

[00:17:06] social media or also in-person meetings whenever possible.

[00:17:11] However avoid being a bother or avoid spamming their mail or avoid spamming

[00:17:21] their WhatsApp or anything through which you are connected.

[00:17:25] Only occasionally you can share festival greetings or share any

[00:17:31] valuable resource with them which is the second step that is provided.

[00:17:38] Relevant articles or the resources, job leads or anything that can benefit them.

[00:17:46] Third, very important, express gratitude to the people who have

[00:17:54] helped you or provided support in any way.

[00:17:57] When you express your gratitude be specific in the help that you have

[00:18:01] received from them.

[00:18:04] For example, if someone has given you a reference for a job opening,

[00:18:10] please say thank you so much for that reference.

[00:18:13] I spoke to that person and I was able to get an interview because of that.

[00:18:17] Thank you so much.

[00:18:19] Be very specific for what you are thanking the other person.

[00:18:25] A simple thank you can go a long way in strengthening relationships.

[00:18:32] When someone has helped you, it's your duty.

[00:18:38] It's a social etiquette that you give it back also to them.

[00:18:44] So the fourth point is successful professional relationships are all about

[00:18:52] symbiosis.

[00:18:54] Symbiosis is what you give in return to the help that you have received

[00:19:00] because no one wants to feel used.

[00:19:03] So always ask yourself, what can I offer in exchange for help?

[00:19:07] If you come up with this foreign answer, please do that.

[00:19:11] You most likely build much stronger relationships when you help back in return.

[00:19:18] And last but not the least, I've already stated this under attitude, be authentic.

[00:19:25] Be authentic and sincere in your interactions.

[00:19:27] Building trust is essential for long-term relationships.

[00:19:31] Walk the talk, practice what you say or believe in and deliver on your promises.

[00:19:38] This is how you can build strong relationships and these are the three secrets.

[00:19:45] Where can you network?

[00:19:46] Networking events are everywhere.

[00:20:01] Networking opportunities are everywhere from industry conferences and

[00:20:06] workshops to online platforms like LinkedIn and professional associations.

[00:20:11] Look for events or communities relevant to your feed or interests and

[00:20:16] don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone to meet new people.

[00:20:22] Use this map as your three secrets to become masters in networking.

[00:20:28] By investing in your network currently, you create a supportive ecosystem

[00:20:33] that can overcome challenges, provide insights and

[00:20:37] ultimately help you thrive in your career.

[00:20:42] That's all in this episode today.

[00:20:44] Happy networking.