Networking != Transactional

What are your fears (concerns) when it comes to #networking?

I conduct this workshop frequently and I've concluded some of the common worries:

1. Feels 'fake' - It seems like everyone is there with an agenda and because of that, it does not feel geniune at all! Why would anyone want to help me (or why would I want to help anyone) since the relationship built is not sincere?
2. Lack of topics to talk about - How to transit from small talk to an actual conversation? Will I appear 'stupid'? Will people judge me?
3. Dealing with awkwardness - It is not often that we have to "sell" or "market" ourselves and it feels weird to have to do that. What do I say so that I do not appear as bragging? Some of us may even believe that there is no need to be talking about ouselves if we are good (competent) - true and not true, because it depends on who you are speaking to (your audience).

I would not say that I am a good networker - I remember how I struggled to network when I first started my entrepreneurship journey back in 2014. Oh man, I felt so insignificant!

There is no magic pill however, I believe here are some tips we can get started!

1. It is about BUILDING NEW RELATIONSHIPS! Approach networking with this mentality helps to re-wire our brains from being transactional to being geniune. One way to being genuine is really just by being curious about and present for the person in front of us. This is fundamental to any relationship, everyone wants to be heard and understood!
2. Over my years of training and coaching, I have learnt a lot more from listening than talking! Surprise uh... One of the misconceptions that we hold when it comes to networking is that we think that we have to be able to talk a lot. Nah, this is so wrong! Ask GOOD questions, you will have a fruitful conversation.

Last but not least, know your objective for being at the event! Are you there to learn about something or are there specific groups of individuals you want to connect to? Doing some research about the event will be tremendously helpful because you are more prepared!

Here was me at #nassummit to learn more about content creation and expand my connections in this scene.

Becoming Irreplaceable aims to empower fellow professionals to build sustainable and meaningful careers, and taking the control back for us to increase our own happiness index!