Re-framing "Networking"

As someone still relatively new to the independent practitioner/consultancy world there is just one area that even as an extrovert fills me with dread.... the "Networking" event.  What after-all could be better..... you turn up at a usually reasonably plush venue, you flash your brightest smile and silently rehearse your well practiced "elevator speech" so that when your two minutes of focused attention arrives you can deliver your lines with panache, enthusiasm, and personal conviction.  Then you can socialise being mindful that everyone is selling their services however covert the interaction.

And how does this ritualistic behaviour make me feel?

Uncomfortable and ever so slightly disingenuous!  Now I realise this is probably just my problem and the rest of you have no idea what I am talking about and probably just love the opportunity to meet with strangers and turn them into life long clients with 2 minutes of inspired rhetoric and your flashiest smile but just in case there is anyone out there just a bit like me... I have an idea!

Yesterday I attended an event in which a whole cadre of professional coaches and consultants met to socialise, network and to learn together and I LOVED IT!

So what was the difference that made the difference?

My attitude.

Instead of thinking of the need to "sell my services" I thought of the thrill of meeting like minded people to share experiences, laugh, celebrate and learn from one another.

What happened?

I met like minded people, we shared our experiences, we laughed, we celebrated and we learnt.

What if, every networking event was like this I wondered?  What if I forgot about "selling" anything and just focused on connecting with people, enjoying their company, sharing my experiences and opening myself to the possibility of learning and sharing knowledge?

What if I stopped worrying about my "elevator speech" and started having a little... fun?  What if I stuck with the essence of what I do which is helping people to discover their own brilliance professionally and personally and then focused on making genuine connections with people?

Perhaps networking doesn't have to be this uncomfortable part of my professional life, perhaps it can actually be the exhilarating and hugely rewarding  experience that genuine connection with people always brings.

Perhaps when we focus a little less on ourselves and a little more on others we open ourselves to the possibility of really meeting someone.

Perhaps that is what networking is really all about.