{"id":1472,"date":"2023-11-24T09:47:31","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T09:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/?p=1472"},"modified":"2023-11-24T09:58:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T09:58:05","slug":"does-networking-come-naturally-to-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/news\/does-networking-come-naturally-to-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Networking Come Naturally to You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1472\" class=\"elementor elementor-1472\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"ob-is-breaking-bad elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5cf663b3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5cf663b3\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ob_bbad_use_it&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_bbad_sssic_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_glider_is_slider&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-22dac2b4\" data-id=\"22dac2b4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ob_bbad_is_stalker&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_teleporter_use&quot;:false,&quot;_ob_column_hoveranimator&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_column_has_pseudo&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40e0d023 ob-has-background-overlay elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"40e0d023\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ob_photomorph_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_perspektive_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_poopart_use&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_shadough_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_allow_hoveranimator&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_widget_stalker_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/backgroundLandingPage.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1384\" alt=\"A networking event with lots of people in attendance\" srcset=\"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/backgroundLandingPage.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/backgroundLandingPage-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/backgroundLandingPage-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/backgroundLandingPage-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"ob-is-breaking-bad elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8475cc1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8475cc1\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;_ob_bbad_use_it&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_bbad_sssic_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_glider_is_slider&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5a11482d\" data-id=\"5a11482d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;_ob_bbad_is_stalker&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_teleporter_use&quot;:false,&quot;_ob_column_hoveranimator&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_column_has_pseudo&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48448282 ob-harakiri-inherit ob-has-background-overlay elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"48448282\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ob_use_harakiri&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_harakiri_writing_mode&quot;:&quot;inherit&quot;,&quot;_ob_harakiri_text_clip&quot;:&quot;none&quot;,&quot;_ob_perspektive_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_poopart_use&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_shadough_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_allow_hoveranimator&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_widget_stalker_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Does Networking Come Naturally to You?<\/h1>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53d8d43 ob-harakiri-inherit ob-has-background-overlay elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"53d8d43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_ob_use_harakiri&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_harakiri_writing_mode&quot;:&quot;inherit&quot;,&quot;_ob_postman_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_perspektive_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_poopart_use&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;_ob_shadough_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_allow_hoveranimator&quot;:&quot;no&quot;,&quot;_ob_widget_stalker_use&quot;:&quot;no&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.21.0 - 25-04-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>A few years ago, I attended an old school friend\u2019s wedding. David and I are part of a group of eight friends that have stayed in close contact. Today, with partners (and ever-increasing numbers of children), we\u2019ve all remained close.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>David\u2019s wedding to Lottie was on one of those amazing days when the British weather manages to do what it is supposed to do in summer. The venue was a stately home near Crewe, where every room, with the antique furniture, paintings and fittings looked wonderful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The regular wedding traditions were all there: after the wedding ceremony itself, all the guests, were mingling and chatting on the lawn in front of the house, getting stuck into the Pimms. Dinner was then served, followed by speeches, cutting the cake, the first dance, and of course lots more booze.<\/p>\n<p>During the day, I noticed something. Whenever people were chatting, I only talked to my group of friends. For the wedding ceremony, I sat myself next to people who I knew already.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When the guests went to sit down for dinner, the seating plan dictated that I would be next to people who I knew well. OK, not my choice there, but it still suited me fine to not be next to strangers, and not to have to make uncomfortable small talk. As the evening progressed, the dance floor became busier and busier. I, with my two left feet, preferred to sit and chat with my friends.<\/p>\n<p>Not once did I make the effort to go and speak to someone new, someone I didn\u2019t know, someone different. It\u2019s not exactly difficult to start up a conversation at a wedding. Everyone is (generally) happy to be there. There is a shared connection with literally every guest (i.e. we all knew David &amp; Lottie). So I had the opportunity to meet new people, but I just didn\u2019t want to.<\/p>\n<p>Why was this? I train people how to network! I speak and have written books about networking. I spend my entire working life talking to people. What was the difference here? Surely I should have no problem talking to people and socialising at a relaxed occasion like a wedding.<\/p>\n<p>But the fact remains that I did have a problem with chatting to people at David &amp; Lottie\u2019s wedding. I had no inclination whatsoever to put myself out of my comfort zone.<\/p>\n<p>I must put this in further context, by talking about my Mum. Put simply, I don\u2019t know anyone who networks better than her. I remember going to a funeral with her once, which was when it struck me just how good at engaging with other people she is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The funeral was my great aunt\u2019s, who died when she was well into her 90s. Most of her generation had now either passed away, or if they were still alive, were unable to travel to the funeral. So there were just a handful of people at the crematorium, and afterwards at the wake.<\/p>\n<p>Now I know that this was a funeral, and not a riotous party. But with so few people, there was virtually no conversation. But then my Mum got going. She got everyone chatting and enjoying themselves, as much as anyone is going to at a funeral. She talked to everyone. She showed a genuine interest in them. She introduced people to one another. She made the whole occasion\u2026 bearable.<\/p>\n<p>Where was I in all this? Yes, you guessed it, I was cowering in the corner, trying to avoid talking to too many people. Or, when I got roped into a conversation by my Mum, trying to appear to be vaguely interested.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>So what is the relevance of these two non-work related events? Why am I discussing them in a post about networking? Well, networking is talking to people. Networking is about building relationships. The more you talk to people, the better the relationships you\u2019ll be able to build.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In a business context, we call it networking (and that word can be off-putting to lots of people). In social circumstances, we call it talking to people. In fact, they\u2019re the same thing.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<p>Both David and Lottie\u2019s wedding and my great aunt\u2019s funeral (and don\u2019t worry, we\u2019re not going to discuss another three weddings\u2026) got me thinking. I don\u2019t really enjoy meeting new people very much!<\/p>\n<p>It is true: I can categorically state, that I, a business relationships expert that makes his living from networking, do not like networking! There, I\u2019ve said it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>But why? Why is it that I am perfectly comfortable networking when I \u2018have to\u2019, but when I don\u2019t, it is the last thing I want to do?<\/p>\n<p>You see, I\u2019m not bad at networking. I know that in my professional life I\u2019m very good at it. I can very easily enter a room of strangers, introduce myself, and get to know something about them. I know I can leave with follow up opportunities.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s just that for me, networking is not something that is naturally in my comfort zone. I\u2019m far happier sitting back, taking everything in, and spending my time with people who I care about. But I can manage networking if I want to: if I can persuade myself to take a step out of my comfort zone, I know I can network just as effectively as anyone else.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In essence, I\u2019m an Unnatural Networker.<\/p><p>What about you? Natural or Unnatural?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Does Networking Come Naturally to You? A few years ago, I attended an old school friend\u2019s wedding. David and I are part of a group of eight friends that have stayed in close contact. Today, with partners (and ever-increasing numbers of children), we\u2019ve all remained close. David\u2019s wedding to Lottie was on one of those [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1384,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[33,19,34,30],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1472"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1476,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1472\/revisions\/1476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1472"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1472"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/unnaturalsuccess.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1472"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}