How can senior-level professionals use mindfulness to build a network?

People tend to get carried away at networking events and can come off as a desperate salesperson. This is something that can be transformed with mindfulness. Remember that networking is about building, nurturing and maintaining relationships. Understand the types of people who will be at the events, what they are doing and ask yourself what value you can provide. This means that you have awareness, interest and respect towards someone before the conversation even started. Starting off a conversation with warmth and empathy is key to building rapport. Be mindful that is not just a bunch of business people gathering, but humans with personal interests and goals outside of work. This opens you up to many possibilities.

For senior-level professionals, using mindfulness to build a network is like planting seeds in a garden – you cultivate meaningful connections with patience, presence, and a sprinkle of serenity! 🌱🤝🧘♂️

Networking mustn’t be confused with being popular or being a social butterfly Someone who is not exactly the ‘life of a party’ can also be a highly networked person. The essence of networking is to find your tribe. Find like minded individuals with whom you can exchange ideas, collaborate, grow and enjoy the process. So when you network be mindful of your goals/ values Choose events/ opportunities that expose you to others with similar or allied interests. Say you are an ambitious techie founder - you may still enjoy networking with a trekking group as you are passionate about trekking But networking with movie celebrities may be daunting, intimidating, hollow for you. From their POV they too may not enjoy techie discussions.

Ao integrar o mindfulness em suas práticas de networking, os profissionais seniores podem não apenas expandir sua rede, mas também cultivar relacionamentos mais profundos e significativos que podem beneficiá-los ao longo de suas carreiras. O mindfulness pode ajudar os profissionais a estabelecer relações autênticas com seus contatos, concentrando-se no momento presente e sendo genuinamente interessados nas pessoas com quem estão interagindo.

It is true as in any relationship or connection … it is always a two way street. Friends and families are always connected through common interests and grounds. Otherwise, we remain strangers.

As much as you might be excited or even anxious, you know from experience that behaving based on emotions is draining and can lead to mistakes. Meditate by taking deep, mindful breaths for 10-20 minutes. Notice any tension in the body and calm them down with loving-kindness. If you detect any thoughts of anticipation about the event, know that they’ve been running in your mind and will continue to do so. The awareness of this can help you to calm those thoughts and reestablish the coolness within. This boost in mindfulness will also increase your clarity and empathy which will come handy at the event. In summary, know yourself and you will know others and what they’re inclined towards. Your composure and confidence will be noticed.

We always have to keep an open mind when we attend networking events. Having a few moments of quiet mindfulness to prepare will certainly help. We will never know who will turn out to be our friends and sometimes unexpected turn of events can turn out to be the best events!! Keeping a cool and calm mind certainly helps For me, I always focus on common interests - food, travel & hobbies … we can never go wrong!

Prepare for networking events by setting clear goals, researching attendees, crafting a concise introduction, bringing business cards, dressing appropriately, practicing active listening, preparing conversation starters, and following up afterward to reinforce connections.

Dans un premier temps il est nécessaire de bien cibler l'événement et aussi préparer soigneusement sa présentation, être a l'écoute et authentique. L'utilisation des médias d'une manière stratégique et surtout entretenir les contacts.

𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Define your goals for the networking event. Whether it's expanding your professional circle, seeking mentorship, or exploring collaboration opportunities, having clear intentions helps guide your interactions mindfully. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐬: Before the event, research the participants to have a basic understanding of their backgrounds and interests. This knowledge allows for more meaningful and informed conversations.

Being mindful means not letting your personal desires get ahead of you. At networking events, think about what value you can provide for others first instead of wishing others can do something that’ll boost your business. When you provide value, people will remember you and it opens up a real conversation rather than one whereby everyone is trying to get the highest attention via idle, and often superficial, speeches. Remember, networking is about establishing a relationship which has to be built on the basis of trust, understanding and respect.

Its easy to get flummoxed, too caught up in the moment especially at an event related to business. In order to network mindfully, prepare yourself beforehand. Try doing mindfulness minutes, approach the day and people you meet with an internal state of calm and curiosity. Being present allows you to show up as your authentic self which in turn allows others to let their guards down and connect deeply on a human level.

𝐁𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭: Practice being fully present in the moment. Avoid distractions, such as checking your phone, and give your complete attention to the person you're engaging with. 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: Engage in active listening by focusing on the speaker without interrupting. Respond thoughtfully, demonstrating genuine interest in their perspectives. 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲: Be authentic and genuine in your interactions. Share your experiences, challenges, and successes, creating a more relatable and authentic connection. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞: Pay attention to your body language, maintaining open and approachable gestures. Mindful body language conveys confidence, warmth, and receptivity.

Don’t wait for people to approach you. Wear a smile, a good body language and move to find groups that are a good fit When someone notice you, that’s your cue to join. Being at the refreshments, opens up lots of conversations. Introduce yourself appropriately as per the culture. Don’t rush into the conversation, go slow, listen more. As the conversation picks up get insights into what the others are sharing - adds yours if relevant. But don’t cut anyone or be dominating or belittling. While in the group be open to more people joining in If you feel like exploring beyond the group then politely excuse yourself. Exchange cards if you wish to connect. Don’t waste time with ones you don’t resonate with but be polite as you move on.

Mindfulness in networking is about being fully present and engaged in the interaction, which not only helps in building strong connections but also in leaving a lasting impression. The focus on body language, tone, and eye contact is crucial as these non-verbal cues often speak louder than words. Active listening and showing genuine interest in the conversation can foster deeper connections. It's also important to be aware of the other person's cues to respect their time and space. This mindful approach can significantly enhance the quality of your professional network.

Write them by the next evening and don’t be overly formal. Tell them the positive things you felt about the meeting and how you’d like to continue via a coffee or call. Be direct about the topics you’d like to discuss during the follow-up meeting. It’s good to propose a date/time and also acknowledge that you’re happy with an alternative in case they can’t make it.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰-𝐮𝐩𝐬: Send personalized follow-up messages expressing appreciation for the interaction. Reference specific points from your conversation to reinforce the connection. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞: Offer to share relevant resources, insights, or connections that align with the interests and needs of your new contacts. Providing value strengthens your relationship and builds trust.

Notice the WHO of the person, not the WHAT of the person. Use these human details to let them know how their interaction and authenticity left a mark on you. Share your honest feeling and express your interest.

How to follow up after an event….. There’s gold in the followup. Powerful way to follow up is: Follow up promptly within 24 hours before people forget about you and the conversation. Prioritize circling back through personalized phone calls and emails stating how grateful you were for the opportunity to connect, meet and exchange. Include a brief recap of the conversation, highlights, challenges, pain points and offer to schedule a meeting to delve deeper.

Il faut cultiver des relations et s'assurer de rester en contact avec le réseau . Un message de remerciement après l'événement et le partage des informations pertinentes et aussi la proposition d'aide selon notre domaine de compétences.

Mindful networking is about being present and genuinely engaged in interactions, rather than just exchanging business cards. It's about building authentic relationships based on mutual respect and interest. Mindfulness in networking also means being aware of the other person's needs and how you can add value to them, rather than just focusing on what you can get out of the relationship. This approach not only helps in building stronger, more meaningful connections but also contributes to personal and professional growth.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Stay engaged with your network through periodic check-ins, updates, or shared content. Consistent communication fosters a sense of continuity in the relationship. 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: Actively participate in industry events, conferences, and seminars. These gatherings provide ongoing opportunities to expand your network and stay connected with current contacts.

Rather than always focusing on what we might gain from a network, a more powerful position is to look for ways to support and uplift those with whom we are relating.

Man muss nicht alles selber können, aber wissen wer, was, macht. Ich finde es essentiell wichtig, ein breites und buntes Netzwerk zu haben. Das erhöht meine eigene Flexibilität in der Umsetzung eigener Ideen und Projekte und hilft meinen Kunden, wenn sie mal einen Ansprechpartner suchen.

Networking is not just attending events. One way that my mindfulness practice directly contributed to my networking efforts it that it helped me recognize an urge to write. I started writing on LinkedIn, blogging, and eventually wrote books. That writing prompted people to reach out to me, invite me to speak or collaborate, and it made in-person networking events so much easier. All of these effects helped my law practice and evolution as a professional and increased my happiness. Many people dislike or fear networking because they make assumptions about how it has to be. My strong encouragement is to network in a way that works for you and suits your skills.

Leaders can involve employees in network building by engaging them in meaningful dialogues, recognizing their contributions, and providing opportunities to participate in impactful projects. Incorporating mindfulness practices can also play a crucial role by fostering presence, reducing stress, and enhancing emotional regulation among employees. This approach fosters a work environment that prioritizes understanding, compassion, and collective well-being over narrow self-interest, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Mindfulness is truly for everyone. Yes, you can use mindfulness to build a network, but even better that that - you can use it to KEEP a community. As a senior professional, you can harness mindfulness to cultivate vibrant communities that stand the test of time. By anchoring interactions in present-moment awareness and genuine connection, mindfulness transforms passing encounters into enduring bonds. Infusing mindfulness into your networking approach will turn it into authentic community building.

Le réseautage est un outil essentiel pour réussir dans différents domaines, l'authenticité, la préparation aux événements, l'écoute et l'utilisation stratégique des médias et surtout le maintien et la fidélité du réseau permet de réaliser des opportunités pertinentes