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Worth Reading – Why Starting Networking Conversations Feels Hard (and How to Fix It)

ByMike McBride Reading Time: 2 minutes

I am an introvert. I know that many people find that a little difficult to believe because I share so much of myself online, I’m pretty comfortable doing public speaking, etc., but it’s true. One place where that shows up in a big way for me is starting a conversation.

I rarely do it. Saying that I never do it would be close to the truth. Not exactly the truth, but it’s close.

Why do I struggle with that aspect of personal interaction? Likely because I don’t have any idea how to strike up a conversation at random in a natural way. It’s social awkwardness all the way down.

Side note: this is why introverts are often more comfortable being public speakers than starting a conversation. When you’re the speaker or running the meeting, people expect you to start talking. Small talk never feels that welcoming. 

As much as the whole concept makes me wildly uncomfortable, I must acknowledge that it is a skill that can be learned. This is why I wanted to share this with my fellow introverts:

The Simple Conversation Trick That Makes Networking Easy

Put yourself in their shoes.

How often did someone you were sitting by at a conference or networking event start a conversation with you when you didn’t want them to? How about how you felt when an old coworker reached out to say “hello” on LinkedIn, or was going to be in town and invited you to coffee?

As Greg points out, it’s pretty standard for us to appreciate it when old contacts reach out. I’d add that it’s pretty standard for people at events to enjoy the stranger who tries to welcome them into a conversation rather than ignore them.

Yet most of us go about life depriving people of that enjoyment because we somehow believe they won’t enjoy it.

There’s no evidence of it.

The holidays are a great time for reaching out, by the way. A quick, happy holiday wish can go a long way.

https://theintrovertednetworker.substack.com/p/why-starting-networking-conversations

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