Networking

I was explaining to a friend the importance of professional networking. I told her that she needed to be ready to present herself favorably to people. She said “Ugh, that feels so sleazy.”

I asked if she believed that she could bring value to people’s lives? Would having a connection with her ultimately be beneficial, if even only in a minuscule way, to other people? I said that she needs to have the confidence that she has something to offer to others. “They want to know you, even if they don’t know it yet, because knowing you would enrich their lives. You just need to help them see that.”

This isn’t about arrogance or overconfidence. Networking doesn’t mean performance or showmanship. However, you do need to demonstrate confidence that you are a person worth knowing.