Are you aware of how your emotions
may hold you back when you attend a networking event or meet people at a
breakfast, luncheon or dinner party?
Emotional self-awareness is an important aspect of emotional
intelligence and business networking. For example, if you feel awkward,
uncertain or inept you are less likely to put yourself forward and introduce
yourself to strangers than if you feel confident, comfortable and relaxed about
doing so, aren't you?
Emotions drive your and other people's behaviour and your
behaviour when business networking is no different. If we experience
"negative emotions" when networking and we "give in" to
them we can end up being involved in counter-productive behaviours. It is
important to avoid some of the common mistakes people make when they go
business networking and to be able to manage your own emotions so this doesn't
happen to you. Yes, rev up your emotional intelligence before you step into a
room!
10
NETWORKING BLUNDERS TO AVOID
1 - Don't Sit With Your
Colleagues: Networking is an opportunity for you to meet new people, don't
waste it. If you come with a group from work, move. Leave them and sit on a
different table. Meet them again later. Otherwise you might as well have stayed
in the tea room at work.
If you feel more comfortable staying with your colleagues then manage
this emotion so you can also feel comfortable about leaving them and catching
up with them later. Look forward to talking to new people you may meet and what
they might bring to the occasion. Or move and take one colleague with you.
Don't just give in to the emotion, be emotionally intelligent.
2 - Don't Sit Down Early: If you
are feeling at a bit of a loss, or at odds with the people present it can be
easy to find a chair and sit down, to help yourself to feel better. Some people
check out the toilets, the drinks and the food, and even the exit signs because
they feel nervous about networking. The problem with this is that you then miss
out on the networking opportunities.
It's easier to network and mingle standing up. Once you've sat down you
may feel less inclined to move and it is harder for people to come to you and
greet you. Instead, find a more useful way to relax and feel at ease with the
situation. Yes, your skills in emotional management and emotional intelligence
are very important here.
2. Did you prepare topics to talk about?
3. Can you find someone you know who is standing with a stranger?
Manage your emotions intelligently. Being able to shift into more
"positive emotions" can be a very helpful emotional intelligence
skill for networking.
3 - Don't Arrive Unprepared: If
you feel shy, uncertain of what to talk about, or wary of meeting new people,
prepare. Think in advance of topics you can talk about, how you can introduce
yourself and what your latest news is. Don't just wait for someone to say, "
- What have you been up to?" and expect to immediately remember,
if you haven't thought about it before and you are feeling embarrassed. Make it
easier for yourself, so you can still make conversation even if you do feel
shy. Be prepared, avoid awkward silences, and you'll feel better. It's
emotionally intelligent!
4 - Don't Give Short Answers: Don't
answer questions with only 3-4 words. If you feel withdrawn, disinterested or
guarded there is a likelihood that you will not say much. You don't have to
give in to these emotions, manage them and say more.
If someone asks you " -
What do you do?" or a similar question, appreciate that they are
showing an interest in you and trying to engage you in conversation. Therefore,
be generous in your reply. If you only say "Personal Assistant" or
"Health Inspector", you've just killed the conversation. Instead
say more about what your job involves or move on to other things you like to do. Help yourself to feel comfortable and help the other person to feel
comfortable talking to you. There are emotions on both sides for you to
consider. Being able to manage other people's emotions is another aspect of
emotional intelligence which is important when networking.
5 - Don't Only Talk Work: Boredom
is a killer emotion at business networking events. One of the times boredom
arises is when people only talk about work. You have worked all day and then
you talk work all evening.
Even if you are at a business function you don't have to restrict
yourself to only talking work. Networking is about building relationships.
Therefore, conversations can explore what you might jointly be interested in
outside work, or on providing assistance or information in any area of life. Do what you can to manage any boredom and be willing to explore
interesting topics of conversation. It is better that you generate enthusiasm
than boredom, isn't it? It is all about using your emotional intelligence
skills.
6 - Don't Get Stuck In A Corner: Take
up space, don't hide. Some networking functions don't use large rooms and may
have only small spaces available, e.g. if it's at a restaurant. Make sure you
aren't backed into a corner. It's much harder to escape and mingle. You won't
want to feel trapped, will you?
7 - Don't Only Talk To Those You
Know: If you feel relaxed with the people you know it is easy to stay
with them and not venture out into the world of unknown people. However,
networking is about meeting new people as well as building relationships with
people you already know. Don't only limit yourself to meeting the people you
already know. It is not emotionally intelligent. If there are new people at the
function go and meet them. Get to know them. Help yourself to take the
initiative, they may feel relieved to have someone new to talk to.
8 - Don't Forget Your Business Cards: Business
cards aren't everything but they are important. I'm surprised how often I go to
networking events and people haven't brought their cards or haven't given them
out or haven't put them on a networking table. If there's a networking table
make sure your cards are on it. If you feel silly giving out your card or dislike doing so, manage these
emotions by thinking of the cards as lollies. You would probably feel good
giving people prizes! Alternatively, consider how helpful your card will be for
the other person. Many people at networking events forget people's names and
feel stupid for doing so. By giving them your card you are making it easier for
them to remember your name and who you are. When you can identify the benefits of giving your cards you may feel
more confident in handing them out. Managing your emotions and using your
emotional intelligence skills do matter when you're networking. Do what you can
to feel confident, at ease and interested, and networking will be easier.
9 - Don't Stay On One Seat: Once
you become comfortable on one place, or with one person, it is so easy to stay
put. Move out of your comfort zone, manage your emotions so you overcome your
apathy, and find the enthusiasm to move seats. Whether you're attending a breakfast, luncheon or dinner move seats.
It's easy to do this between courses or as soon as the meal is over. That way
you'll meet more people.
10 - Don't Exclude People: When
you are networking be INCLUSIVE with everyone you meet. Don't cut people out of
conversations in a group, don't ignore someone in a threesome, and don't turn
your back on people during a dinner conversation. Always keep a look out for
other people and be kind to them
There is so much more to learn about how to engage people, how to
develop high levels of emotional intelligence, and how to be brilliant at
business networking so you build your business. We have only scratched the
surface here.
- Are you doing this when NETWORKING?
- Is your Networking Strategy like
this?
Thank You for taking your time to read my work.
I hope it add value to your life.
Take Care and Have a Great Day!
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