Sunday, August 1, 2010

Power Networking Tips For Shy People - Learn to Let it Work For You

We all know that success in any business is based on building relationships as well as offering excellent products and services. It's called "networking" and sometimes it just happens organically, and sometimes we go to networking events for a few hours of intentional networking. This is no big deal for an extroverted person, but it can be a real trial for the introvert - the shy person.

A shy person, a geek or an introvert - however you want to refer to this person - tends to look at networking as a grand opportunity for insincerity at best and mind games and manipulation at the worst. But underneath these surface reasons lies insecurity, a lack of confidence, and a fear of people and a fear of rejection.

The good news is that it really is possible for this group of wall flowers to master networking skills. They've just got to learn that networking skills are simply a matter of being friendly, not an exercise in duplicity.

The introvert must also come to grips with the knowledge that true success will never happen all alone - other people must be engaged and interacted with to achieve career and personal goals.

* Start Gradually - Don't begin by walking into a room full of strangers and start approaching them, shaking in your proverbial boots. Instead, look for familiar faces such as co-workers, relatives or friends. Stick with them for awhile and they'll introduce you to other people. Finding a familiar face to start with will get you over the hurdle.

* Don't Apologize - If you enlist the aid of a friend, co-worker or relative, don't apologize. They won't see it as the imposition that you suppose it is. Remember, you're worth getting to know; and you have great products and services that other people will benefit from. Constant apologies just demonstrates a lack of professionalism and shows your lack of confidence. It's also a sign of immaturity and can be very annoying.

* Just Be Yourself - If you're not an extrovert, don't try to act like one. While you may have to work a little harder at being slightly more outgoing than usual, don't be fake. Everyone recognizes the "schmoozer" or the used-car-salesman syndrome, (Sorry, all you who make a living selling used cars) and they recoil from it.

These people don't have the right motive. If your motive is to meet people, connect, build a relationship, see what others have to offer you and what you have to offer, then your true motives will come across as genuine. Sometimes the shy person also has an endearing humility about him, and if that's you, it can work in your favor. It's ok to be a little awkward, just keep it real.

Networking, even for shy people, is a wonderful way to build your credibility and your bottom line.

By : Jeanne_Kolenda

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