COLUMN The Global View
“Hey, even introverts S can rock a room!”
Networking For Those of Us Who’d Rather Hide Under a Table
82 Apr/May/Jun 2025 Exhibit City News
o, we’re in this industry, Forcing Fun: A Survival right? We’re elbow-to-elGuide for Introverts bow with installers, )LUVW ¿QG D PHQWRU 6RPHclients, suppliers, the whole one who can show you the shebang. We’re constantly ropes, introduce you to peotalking, constantly “commuple, and act as a human shield nicating.” But let’s be real, when things get awkward. folks. Does that automatically Think of them as your netmake us social butterworking spirit animal. ÀLHV" 'RHV WKDW PHDQ 6HFRQG EHFRPH D we’re all natural-born regular at association networkers, ready to events. Go to everyFKDUP WKH SDQWV R̆ thing. Even the boranyone with a busiing ones. The more By Paco Collazo ness card? Ha! No. they see your face, the more memorable The Elephant in the Room you become. It’s like planting Let’s face it, for a lot of you, D ÀDJ ³,¶P KHUH , H[LVW DQG , the thought of a “networking am interesting.” event” is about as appealing Third, if you’re not from the as losing your best leads in a 86 RU HYHQ LI \RX DUH JHW D sea of business cards. We’d grip on current events. A little rather be anywhere else, no? sports talk, a dash of pop culPerhaps you’d preferably be in ture, a sprinkle of “did you see a quiet room with a good book that crazy thing on the news?” and zero human interaction. goes a long way. Podcasts like But here’s the kicker: those The Breakfast Club are your dreaded events? They’re actusecret weapon. You don’t have ally, dare I say it, good for you. to be an expert, just have a Think about it: career adfew talking points. vancement, insider gossip (yes, Here’s a bonus tip: Focus JRVVLS ¿UVW GLEV RQ WKH ODWHVW on quality over quantity. materials, and maybe even a Instead of trying to talk to future employer or partner HYHU\RQH ¿QG D IHZ SHRSOH \RX spotting your sparkling intellect genuinely connect with. Deep (or at least your clean shoes). conversations are way more Plus, you get to travel! Who valuable than a stack of busidoesn’t love a free trip, even if it ness cards you’ll never look at. involves talking to strangers? Expanding your supplier Networking Doesn’t toolbox is like leveling up in Have to be a Nightmare. a video game, and it’s a must Networking can be a chance for growth. to learn, grow, and maybe even Now, if you’re one of those ¿QG WUXH FRPPXQLW\ 6R WDNH D extroverted unicorns who thrive deep breath, put on your brave in crowded rooms, you can skip face, and remember: even the this part. Go forth and mingle, most awkward encounters can you charismatic creature! But lead to unexpected opportuIRU WKH UHVW RI XV WKH ZDOOÀRZnities. And if all else fails, just ers, the “I’d rather be watching smile and nod. Nobody can 7KH 2̇FH´ FURZG KHUH¶V KRZ tell if you’re actually listening. to survive, and maybe even Now go forth and network, you enjoy, a networking event. PDJQL¿FHQW LQWURYHUWV