Building Connections is Not Easy: Be Brave, Be Bold, Be Courageous!

Reflecting on past experiences, I vividly recall a moment at the American Bankers Association Washington summit in DC back in March, surrounded by bankers from across the nation. During a networking function, a friend and I hesitated, contemplating whether to approach a bank executive engaged in conversation with others. We could have left the event with a wonder 💭and a wish 🌠, but instead, we chose to be bold and courageous and initiated introductions.

This time, it was my turn to nudge my friend, urging, "Com’on, let's make our presence known!" We did, and we’ve been connected ever since leveraging LinkedIn to engage and sustain our connections. I want you to know that at times in networking, we all need a cheerleader, a source of borrowed courage. If you find yourself having to go to a networking function alone…. Phone a friend, share what your thinking and the resistance going on in your head and allow the support to give you the push you need to be brave, bold, and courageous.

Recently, my journey led me to Charlotte, NC, where a similar scenario unfolded. I spotted a familiar face and became curious 🤔and thought to myself, "Who is this individual? He looked familiar, yet I just couldn’t connect the dots." I began to share my thoughts with my chapter president, Angelia Vernon, IPMA-SCP and this time it wasn't me being the cheerleader but, she proposed, "Let's just go meet him and introduce ourselves." It was with courage and boldness that we took the leap and approached the individual, only to discover that we were in the presence of the Honorable Steven Benjamin, Senior Advisor to the President of the United States. He was so humble, down to earth and had a genuine interest in learning more about us.

While networking has never come easily to me, I persist, embracing the discomfort that often accompanies opening up and engaging with others. It is through these interactions that countless opportunities have opened up for me. It's about placing one foot in front of the other and putting yourself out there to build meaningful connections. Be YOU! Be Genuine! Be Authentic! And while it may seem uncomfortable in the beginning, the relationships you'll develop over time will become a currency that you can save or spend anytime! This is Relationship Capital, it's a SUPER-ASSET!

I often share my introvert view on networking because it’s my personality and many others with similar personality traits can resonate with my networking experiences and the gymnastics that goes on in my head every time I’m presented with opportunities to network. But It's important to remember that personality traits like extroversion or introversion do not determine how comfortable or confident you may feel in networking situations. All of us are so unique, and factors like past experiences, personal insecurities, and social skills can all influence how we feel about networking and meeting new people.

So whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, I write this hoping to encourage you to:

- Embrace boldness in your pursuits

- Choose courage in the face of uncertainty

- Be a cheerleader, Inspire and uplift others to be brave and take that crucial step forward