It is not an activity that happens spontaneously; you need to create the right climate for it to flourish. Designing activities that energise spaces for innovation and talent is almost an art. Although it may seem natural, I assure you that it is not. It’s like creating the perfect environment for a dance floor: it takes effort and dedication to make the goal of connecting and networking happen.
Recently, a friend of mine asked me, ‘What is this networking thing, what good would it do me?’ This question led me to reflect on how we often use terms that seem obvious, but actually hold a world of possibility and magic when we incorporate them into our toolbox.
Learning is innate to humans, whether in different formats, venues or platforms. If you have ever learned something online, you probably still remember it. Children, for example, don’t label their activities; they simply join in, ask questions, observe and, if they like it, stay. By the end of the game, their group of friends has grown, and with it, the opportunities for collaboration and friendship. Has this happened to you?
As for networking, as adults, it may not be so easy, but it’s never too late to start. I like to think that, even if we want something to happen, part of us is given over to causalities. There are things we can do to better predispose ourselves to connect with others. Shyness, embarrassment or mistrust can be obstacles, but acknowledging our emotions is the first step to overcoming them and moving forward.
My recommendations
Most people in these activities have common ground; sometimes we just need a little push to get the conversation going. Success lies in practice, like in the gym, where we slowly gain muscle. Here are some tips:
- Be genuine: Practice introducing yourself out loud, explaining who you are, what you do and why you do it. This will give you confidence.
- Trust yourself: Believe in your intuition and don’t wait for the ideal moment; conditions will never be perfect.
- Connect: Sometimes connection will be useful for you, but you can also help others to network. As my granny used to say, ‘There’s a sky for everyone and it’s huge!’
Networking is an opportunity to meet. Human networks do not form by themselves; we build social capital and become stronger together. If fear is fought with information, I hope these words will encourage you to participate in your next meeting intensely and to go one step further.
There is always time to try again. Opportunities are often not unique; sometimes what we need is to open the window and let fresh air in. As Mary Oliver says: ‘Always leave some room in your heart for the unimaginable’, you never know who you are talking to and how far that conversation can go – a mentor, a customer, a friend of someone who is interested in your product – you don’t always know.
Let’s expand our networks, either because you are an entrepreneur or from your own square metre. Let’s give ourselves to the adventure of building bridges between people and use the magic of connecting so that, as technology advances, we continue to make the world more human.
