Overcoming Networking Obstacles

Networking can be a charged topic for many people. Some compare it to doing the chore around the house you like the least. It can feel downright frightening and a necessary evil of developing your professional career.

Networking doesn’t have to be a lightning rod of challenges.

Many of the obstacles people face with networking are rooted in the internal narratives we tell ourselves. These narratives often place perceived barriers in the way of making authentic connections. Here are two common obstacles and how to overcome them.

Obstacle #1: “I don’t want to bother anyone.”

Check with yourself. Is it true that if I reach out I would bother the other person? Change the perspective and look again. What if you received an email, social media message or phone call from someone you knew expressing, “I thought of you today. It’s been a while since we connected. Just wanted to see how you are doing and catch up.”

Would it make you smile? Probably.

Bothersome? Not at all.

Is it worth the discomfort to take the risk and reach out? Yes. And the choice is yours to overcome that discomfort.

Obstacle #2: “I feel weird asking this person for something, like a new job.”

The core belief in play here is, “I need to get something out of a networking conversation.” A small mindset shift can work wonders. Change your starting point altogether. Enter every networking conversation with the mindset, “How can I help?” Reframing your approach before you even pick up the phone or turn on the camera can make a huge difference in how your conversations flow.

From personal experience, I have developed and strengthened relationships by connecting people. If you have a conversation with a front line worker struggling and you have a neighbor, friend or former classmate who has overcome some of those challenges, you could say, “I hear what you are saying and I know someone who has worked through this same challenge. Would you like me to make an introduction?” Watch the reaction you get. Appreciation, gratitude, hope. Your mindset, “How can I help?” will reshape the networking experience for you and people you interact with.

Be aware of your internal narrative and fears about reaching out. Shift your mindset to helping others, learning and connecting. A few small tweaks will go a long way to develop meaningful connections.