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A Better Approach to Networking

hbr.org · 108 words · saved by 1 readers

Do you shy away from talking to new people at networking events? Have you ever walked into the room and felt a tightness in your chest as you stood there, sweating, wondering what to say? Most of us can relate to some version of this experience. Meeting strangers — especially in the context of work — is uncomfortable. Just the thought of networking can provoke discomfort and anxiety. This is because, as humans, we have an innate need to be liked. Research shows we even have a tendency to connect our self-worth to the number of people who like us. Those of us who have a high need of approval place great importance on interpersonal relationships, and the thought of failing to make a great impression is stressful. Many people also struggle with performance anxiety — the fear of failing to do something well and the consequences that will follow as a result. In the case of networking, we may be afraid that we will say the wrong thing, forget what we were going to say, or stumble over our wo

Harvard Business Review Logo November 4, 2022 PM Images/Getty Images Meeting strangers — especially in the context of work — is uncomfortable for most people. Just the thought of networking can provoke discomfort and anxiety. As humans, we have an Do you shy away from talking to new people at networking events? Have you ever walked into the room and felt a tightness in your chest as you stood there, sweating, wondering what to say? Most of us can relate to some version of this experience. Meeting strangers — especially in the context of work — is uncomfortable. Just the thought of…

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