Making Friends and Meaningful Connections

In our last blog post we discussed the potential and positive reasons to make friends while networking. Today, we will give you some tools to make this happen.

Ultimately, it comes down to three things: Mindset, Goals, Actions.

Mindset

It’s important to go into networking AND friend-making with the right mindset. This is going to impact how you achieve what you are planning to do. Remember:

• Don’t expect anything from those that you will or are planning to approach. As with our blog post on Netgiving (LINK HERE), give and give and give. Don’t expect anything in return.
• Be open to whatever might come. Don’t make assumptions and, instead, be ready to listen and engage so you can strive for a deeper connection.
• Have the mindset where you assume good intent. If you are at an event trying to do your best, chances are everyone else is, too.

Goals

Why have goals when setting out on a new activity? Goals can help ground you, motivate you, and keep you on track- whether it’s getting to know some people better or feeling accomplished after a networking event. Consider:

• Having a goal and a strategy to get to know someone better. What’s their favourite food? Do they have pets? What do they do for fun? These seemingly tiny questions can lead to much bigger, more meaningful conversations and a natural connection.
• If you are going to an event, aim to have several people you want to meet. Or you can try to meet someone with a different job. Make it fun! Have a “bingo card” with goals in your mind and make sure to achieve a line before leaving. This will help you stay engaged, even if you want to fade into the background. Try not to yell Bingo too loudly when you do succeed!
• Make a list of people you want to meet, both for personal and professional reasons. Update this list weekly or monthly as you meet people and find new connections to add to your list. This will help you focus and understand where your gaps are in knowledge and, of course, will help you meet more people who could become your next bestie!

Actions

Putting things into action is always the most difficult step. Yet, this is where the magic happens! If you’ve tried a few times and it hasn’t worked out, don’t give up. You can’t be friends with everyone, but even if you don’t become friends, you are still adding new people to your network. Your effects are never in vain! Here are some tips:

• Listen to learn. Don’t listen to answer right away or to jump in with your thoughts. Active listening is a skill that must be developed and practiced. Connecting with new people is a great place to hone this skill.
• Get out there in person. Don’t just meet people on social media. If you can, offer a coffee chat, go to events, or attend panels. Making a true and deeper connection is easier in person – it’s more memorable too!
• Help someone without expecting anything in return. Introduce a colleague, hold the door, or give someone a compliment on their work. These are great icebreakers to help kickstart conversations, while also helping you stand apart from others.

Meaningful connections are strong connections.

Strong connections are built on trust – which is a key element of friendship, if you remember from our last blog.

So, next time you are dreading networking why not reframe it as a way to make friends? It might make things more fun, open your mind, and lead to great connections.