Busting Networking Barriers
Busting Networking Barriers
My advice to Dave was to accept that he is tall. His behaviour limits him and reduces his self confidence. He must own his height, be proud of who he is and help others to accept him as he is. I suggested that at the next opportunity he go into the middle of the room and pick a woman to speak to. (Might as well undo the past experience). I also recommended that he look this woman in the eyes at all times and when Dave introduces himself to say: “You’ve probably noticed I’m tall, so to make conversation easier are you OK speaking a bit louder?” Dave did this. The woman was more than happy to speak a little bit louder than normal and they had a great conversation.
How many times do you go to events and feel you can’t connect. If this happens all the time then you have what I call a networking barrier. This is usually based on an isolated incident where you were embarrassed or upset talking to another person and you’ve never got past it. Everyone at some stage in life thinks they are not ok, or not ‘the one’ to be at the event. That’s normal and totally appropriate as long as you acknowledge the feeling and don’t let it stop you. What’s not OK is using that barrier as a permanent excuse not to network and connect with others, like Dave did.
So for both the new and experienced networkers reading this article, ask yourself… What stops me networking? Where do I pull myself up and what situations do I resist? What do I dread about meeting people or even, what situation do I never want to end up in? These questions give you powerful clues on your own barriers. The challenge I have for you, this week, is to go and face your barrier and move into it rather than away from it. I assure you that your networking skills and results will be better for it.
Always remember that everyone has a personal barrier to networking, no matter their talent, lack of talent, beauty, shyness, confidence, arrogance, profession, height, weight, age, stage of life, colour, race, faith, location, experience or even mental ability. The successful networkers have pushed through their personal networking barriers by owning their unique combination of attributes, by accepting themselves as they are, warts and all, and then using their unique combination to their advantage. Networking Barriers get busted when you accept yourself and help others to do the same.
Busting Networking Barriers - To learn more about this author, visit 's Website.
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After speaking with Dave a little longer I worked it out. Dave’s barrier is being TALL. In fact he is very tall and could not hear people at events because he is so high up. He didn’t like stooping and had experienced an embarrassing moment with a woman who thought he was staring at her chest, when in fact he was leaning down to hear, concentrating on her words! Dave would rather not put himself in challenging situations like that. He now finds other ways to connect outside the “busy hive of activity”. He approaches people one-on-one away from the group or sits down somewhere and waits for others to start a conversation with him.
My advice to Dave was to accept that he is tall. His behaviour limits him and reduces his self confidence. He must own his height, be proud of who he is and help others to accept him as he is. I suggested that at the next opportunity he go into the middle of the room and pick a woman to speak to. (Might as well undo the past experience). I also recommended that he look this woman in the eyes at all times and when Dave introduces himself to say: “You’ve probably noticed I’m tall, so to make conversation easier are you OK speaking a bit louder?” Dave did this. The woman was more than happy to speak a little bit louder than normal and they had a great conversation.
How many times do you go to events and feel you can’t connect. If this happens all the time then you have what I call a networking barrier. This is usually based on an isolated incident where you were embarrassed or upset talking to another person and you’ve never got past it. Everyone at some stage in life thinks they are not ok, or not ‘the one’ to be at the event. That’s normal and totally appropriate as long as you acknowledge the feeling and don’t let it stop you. What’s not OK is using that barrier as a permanent excuse not to network and connect with others, like Dave did.
So for both the new and experienced networkers reading this article, ask yourself… What stops me networking? Where do I pull myself up and what situations do I resist? What do I dread about meeting people or even, what situation do I never want to end up in? These questions give you powerful clues on your own barriers. The challenge I have for you, this week, is to go and face your barrier and move into it rather than away from it. I assure you that your networking skills and results will be better for it.
Always remember that everyone has a personal barrier to networking, no matter their talent, lack of talent, beauty, shyness, confidence, arrogance, profession, height, weight, age, stage of life, colour, race, faith, location, experience or even mental ability. The successful networkers have pushed through their personal networking barriers by owning their unique combination of attributes, by accepting themselves as they are, warts and all, and then using their unique combination to their advantage. Networking Barriers get busted when you accept yourself and help others to do the same.
Busting Networking Barriers - To learn more about this author, visit 's Website.
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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