Networking. Shudder. Wince. I don’t like it. I have networkingaphobia. I know… I am on an aimless path to rack and ruin and clueless unconnectedness. Yes. I am totally shooting myself in the foot. Maybe. I am not sure if I care about that, to be honest. I’m not a crack shot, so I’ll probably actually be shooting myself in the leg of my coffee table, truth be told.
Maybe I just don’t get the networking thing. I like to meet people, listen to people, talk to people… see what happens. I like that. But I don’t seek to meet people in the hope that they can do stuff for me or introduce me to someone I know that they know. (Got that?!) I suppose I see networking as a kind of strategic buddying up. It’s a little bit Mean Girls and a little bit Melrose Place. Possibly there is a flow chart involved somewhere behind the scenes, with names and aims in little bubbles and arrows pointing all over the place. I think networking is a bit like people chess (not the Musical, the GAME.) Maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
What if my own aimless meet/listen/talk is what networking really is? Maybe I am DOING it? Am I doing it? OMG. Eep.
Okay, let’s try this… I like to gather up a whole bunch of people, online and offline, to form a kind of gang of goodness. I like to be part of that community of like minded pals, because there is power in numbers and we can get good stuff done and have good times together. I call it doing good. I call it being friendly. But maybe it’s networking too? Am I doing it? OMG. Eep.
It’s the WORD, too, I think. Networking. Ugh. NET-WORKING. Hm. Yes. I only like it when it involves people working on mesh-like, scoopy things to catch butterflies or tadpoles in. That’s the net-working that is best. It’s even a bit crafty, right?! No animals will be harmed, of course. We will look at them admiringly and put them right back where we found them. Friendly-like.
We engage (and it’s not fiancee-ish.) We connect (and it’s nothing to do with dropping those red and yellow disks into lines of four.) We move forward (and it’s not putting one cutely clogged foot in front of the other.) We network. Ugh. Maybe we can shelve the networking in favour of just being friendly? And let’s reclaim the fiancees and take them on a clog-shod stroll to a Connect 4 lounge for a rollicking good time? Thumbs up for scoopy mesh things! Thumbs down for people chess! Thumbs up for friends! Thumbs down for flow charts! We will not be pawns! Give us back our tadpoles!
Yes? Am I doing it? Maybe I’m doing it?!
xx Pip
Yep, I'm with you. Networking smacks of manipulation to me. Do you remember that advert that goes kind of like "Such and Such is good to know cause they can do this for me" and basically lists all the people in their life and what they can get from them, I think it might be an insurance/bank type ad.That's what networking means to me. YUCK I say, be with people cause you like them and there is mutual appreciation not for what you can get.
Oh I hate networky things as well. When we have events at work I would rather do the washing up than get out there and talk to people. It all seems so fake!
I think we must be talking about the blokes way of networking… all my experiences with business mum type "networking" groups have been incredibly positive. I have made so many friends, and felt part of an incredibly supportive community. But I agree – the word is definitely more tadpole than teddy bear!
Oh thank you for voicing this! I just hate networking events, well to be honest, I've only been to one, and that was because I wanted to hear the speaker, but then I made my excuses to leave before the "speed networking games". Before the speaker though, we had to go around the room to introduce ourselves and say what we did, for the most part, I felt like I was being Amway-ed.
The whole idea just makes me shudder, I feel that it's so false. I have people sing the praises of networking, but it's just not me.
And yep, I much prefer being friendly and genuine.
LMAO I feel the same way! I think the difference is whether you are being superficial or not. If you are being real and honest and genuine then maybe networking is okay (but even then I'd rather call it "lets catch up for a cuppa")
What timing! Friends at work yesterday were talking about going to a marketing summit, going to a centre of performing arts conference etc. and were getting exciting about networking! What the? When they said I would have to be 'the rock' in the office (we are just a small office so I will be the only one left) I thought 'phew'! I like meeting people, but not if it is just to further my own opportunities!
thinking out loud…networking is probably the opposite of community. Actually i think networking might be the new word for clique come to think of it. You know , when the 'right' people get invited to a thing and its all about who is seen to be there? all about backscratching. nup, dont like it. sue
Completely off topic, but I have a Dougal at home, he is very old and fragile, but he is a cherished part of my London childhood. Bless!
I had never considered that people might be sitting around with flow-charts, strategically networking. I really hope they are not, that would be sad. I like to think of it as sharing common interests.
Most excellent post Pip!
Like, like, likety, like. So with you on that one!
I absolutely LOVE that you wrote this post. It's something that's been scooting around in my brain for a while. I am not a natural self-promoter or networker (the two seem to go hand-in-hand) and I sometimes wonder in those murky times of comparing myself to others I perceive successful, is it because I'm not playing the game? And I think you've hit the nail right on the head, it's about coming together and sharing. There is benefit in the exchange of thoughts and ideas, but there isn't an expectation. I read your blog and am delighted. Sometimes I read other people's blogs and I feel like they're trying to sell me something, even when there isn't necessarily a product being peddled. And there's certainly enoufh of that in our media-soaked lives. I'd like to count myself as part of your gang of good. Are there capes or maybe a patch to sew? That would be, as you say – ace! ~Sonya
Oh yes, I am so bad at networking, well I just can't do it. I have a hard time putting myself out there. It takes me alot longer to get further, but I guess its all in my comfort zone. Maybe I should venture outside the zone?
oh lol, this made me laugh! Can't stand 'networking events' either. So set up and awkward. Urgh, gives me the heebs just thinking of the few I've gone too. Much better to just make fun friends and meet their fun friends.
geez are there really people with flow charts ? probably is. maybe they are mathematically inclined people who like everything to have a number….or not.
who knows, I think making your own way and meeting peeps and crossing paths and seeing where you end up is much more interesting