The One Thing YOU Can do to Turn Networking on its Head (Part 2)

In my last blog, I shared the one thing that you can do to turn networking on its head. If you want to really connect with people, you need to drop your title and start to show up as who you are. Now, how can you show up as who you are? Here are seven ways. This list comes from the Connection Pillar of my book, Dynamic You.

1. Connect based on an emotion

How is that person feeling? Are they feeling positive? Are they excited? If you can get into that feeling, if you can get into that emotion, then you can start connecting with other people. For instance, if the other person is excited about the release of her new book, you can mirror that emotion of excitement. When we mirror someone else's body language, we become more connected. 

2. Connect based on their experiences

How quickly can you find an experience that you both had? For instance, are they someone who also traveled from another country to live in this country like you? Wherever they are from, you can still have the similarity. Do you both enjoy horseback riding? Did you both go to a university in a far off place? There's an experience that you've had that you can connect on. When you start talking about that, the excitement or the connection builds. 

3. Connect based on their likes

Start talking about the things that you both like. Do you both like pink? Did you notice they're wearing pink or have a pink purse and you have a pink dress? Maybe you saw something that they have and it's something you like, compliment them and then talk more about it. Ask them. Be curious about it. 

4. Connect based on their interests.

Are they interested in doing crossstitch? Are you both interested in cross fit? They may have some interest that you are interested in. Get on that topic. Start talking about that thing.

5. Connect based on struggles.

You may have heard that they have three kids under three and you do, too. Maybe you both had companies closed down, and you've had to switch and go to a new one. Maybe during COVID-19 pandemic, you both have a brick and mortar and have needed to be creative with lockdowns. You can connect based on your struggles. 

6. Connect based on opportunities.

Are they a speaker and had a chance to go to a conference that you are also interested in speaking at? Are they looking at vendor opportunities at a craft fair or trade show? You can get curious about those things and you can start connecting on that level. ​

7. Connect based on your desires.

You may connect based on the things that you wish or dream about. Maybe you desire to give back to people in developing nations, and maybe they do, too. Maybe they also desire supporting homeless people, the poor animals, or maybe you desire to build your own home or become eco-friendly. You can start talking about your desires. 

These are seven different ways that you can use to connect with someone on a deeper level by connecting as who you are rather than what you do. You will be an expert at the topics because it's about you and about them as a person. When you connect as who you are, you can be more confident. When you connect as who you are, you get to tap into every bit of every experience, every success, everything that you know, rather than when you connect as a title and it’s surface level and only around one area of life. 

Now, which of these ways can you use in your next networking event or social gathering? Share with me in the comments!