Network Like You Mean It: Finding Your Authentic Connection Style cover art

Network Like You Mean It: Finding Your Authentic Connection Style

Network Like You Mean It: Finding Your Authentic Connection Style

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 This is your The Woman's Career Podcast podcast.

Welcome back to The Woman's Career Podcast. I'm your host, and today we're talking about something that makes many of us uncomfortable but is absolutely essential for career growth: networking. Whether you're an introvert who dreads working a room or an extrovert who thrives on meeting new people, this episode is designed to help you build authentic professional relationships that actually work for you.

Let's start with the truth that many women don't realize. Networking isn't about collecting business cards or forcing yourself into exhausting social situations. According to leading career coaches, networking is simply the practice of building genuine relationships, and it can happen anywhere from the elevator to your local supermarket. The key is making it a daily habit rather than something you dread once a month.

For our introverted listeners, I have wonderful news. Research from women's leadership experts shows that introverts often excel at networking when they leverage their natural strengths. Your ability to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and build genuine connections is your superpower. Instead of trying to meet fifty people at an event, focus on quality over quantity. Set a specific goal like having three meaningful conversations before you even arrive. This permission to skip the exhausting room-working strategy transforms networking from draining to actually enjoyable.

One of the most powerful tools for introverts is writing. Whether it's a thoughtful LinkedIn message, a genuine email, or even a handwritten note, your communication skills shine through the written word. Start conversations online before meeting in person. Comment meaningfully on someone's work, share valuable resources, and watch how relationships develop naturally. Some of the strongest professional connections start with a single thoughtful message.

If you're an introvert, consider hosting your own intimate gatherings instead of only attending other people's events. Organize quarterly lunch meetings for six to eight women entrepreneurs in complementary fields, or start a mastermind group focused on your industry. When you control the environment and the guest list, networking becomes comfortable and genuinely productive.

For our extroverted listeners, your strength is building initial connections quickly. Use that natural energy to establish what experts call a power network. Seek out mentors, join professional associations, and don't shy away from social settings. Your challenge isn't making connections but deepening them. Make follow-up your priority. Collect information from people you meet and build a networking database to stay in touch periodically.

Here's something crucial for everyone regardless of personality type: ask for something specific and doable from your network. Instead of vaguely hoping someone will help you get a job or business, break that down into smaller pieces. Ask someone to make a specific introduction or share relevant articles in their field. People respond better when they know exactly how to help you.

Finally, develop what successful networkers call network karma. Be generous and give to your connections authentically, but not at the cost of burning yourself out. Set boundaries around your networking activities. Maybe you attend one in-person event monthly but balance it with online networking. Track which strategies energize you and which drain you, then double down on what works.

Remember, effective networking is a bundle of skills including setting boundaries, clear communication, and emotional awareness. Women succeed when we work through these layers honestly and on our own terms.

Thank you so much for tuning in to The Woman's Career Podcast. Please subscribe so you don't miss our next episode on building confidence in the workplace.

This has been a Quiet Please production. For more, check out quietplease.ai.

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