BEST Impression-ism?
Try this one on for size. Instead of thinking about yourself, the great impression you want to make, the connections you need, how nervous you are or how horrible you think it is to have to put yourself in these group situations (a newly-branded classic whine), REFOCUS.
When we think outside of ourselves, it diffuses our self- consciousness. And it relieves us of pressure. Instead, think about what you can do to welcome, engage and converse with others.
Set An Altruistic Goal
Find someone standing alone and make them comfortable. With over 90% of American adults who self-identify as shy and introverted, most of the people in any room are as uncomfortable as you may be and would welcome your conversation.
Or
Meet or reconnect with 3 people and introduce them to other people at the event. Be an Eventa Yenta (™). You’ll be helping others connect, widen their circle and feel welcomed. That will make you memorable.
Being a connector/matchmaker requires having a conversation: finding out what others do, what they need and REMEMBERING so when you meet the accountant by the dessert buffet who needs a graphic artist… BINGO! You can match the match and introduction.
The Facile Facilitator
In essence, you attend an event as a facilitator. The result is that you facilitate your own good time, your success at the event and the positive impression you want to make. And you help others do the same. Most often it leads to being memorable because savvy networkers make things happen for OTHER people. That’s one of the classic traits of people who we recognize as powerful.
If you are the hardcore would-be networker who approaches events as spreadsheet activities, you may want to rethink your approach. Remember, nobody attends an event to be part of anyone else’s agenda.
IF the ‘GIVE TO GET’ philosophy is the one you espouse, support and live, the Altruistic Approach is about an 180 degree shift from your goals and schematic.
Make Nice and Be Nice in Every Room
If your purpose behind that that philosophy is How To Work YOURself Into a Room, I suggest you adopt the altruistic method of mingling. A long-time friend from University of Illinois who had just finished reading How To Work a Room attended one of my presentations in Chicago. Afterwards he turned to me and said, “Susan, your book has the wrong title. It should be called How To MAKE NICE in A Room”. I took that as a compliment rather than as a book critique.
If this sounds too “soft skills-like” for someone who is hard-charging, try The Altruistic Approach a couple of times. You may be pleasantly surprised at the response and really pleased with the results.
About Susan RoAne
