Maybe I'm just shy, but networking feels so bad when the purpose is to get a job from it. It would be so much better if I didn't feel like I'm just asking, but I also don't have anything valuable to share yet. Does anyone struggle with this too?
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I just like… i don’t network. I look for real human connection and nurture relationships over prolonged amounts of time as much as I can. I literally cannot network for the sake of networking or work things, it makes me feel ill
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Yes, I have the exactly same feeling every time too, May-li. The thing is: some influential people says that it's expected to be like this while networking. Maybe I should get away from this thinking for good.
Yeah! I mean for one I feel like we are at a time when it’s urgent to stop treating each other transactionally as much as we have the capacity to. Between loneliness and nihilism and all the fallout from that, I just…
And second I think power loves to shake hands with itself and pat itself on the back. It believes and spreads its own survivor bias narratives. But that’s why I feel so strongly about living in ways that create good ground for collective action, which needs trust and solidarity
Of course all this depends on need as well… if the hustle is for the money and bennies cos of rent and bills then hey we all gotta play the game sometime. but idk… i am cautious of buying into all the stories
and frankly it is depressing when i realize someone only ever spoke to me because i was useful in the moment for their climbing du jour
Yes, and I don't believe that many people do this because they like it, probably is because they are in a terrible situation (most financially).
I have issues with small talk in business contexts. It always feels like pretending to be interested in something/someone I’m not.
The one I loathe the most is when someone you’re not that acquainted with asks “How’s it going?” 😅
this has sometimes meant going to a gathering and speaking to the “lowest status” person in the room. i remember one particular event that had all kinds of famous inventors with wikipedia pages. i spent two hours speaking to an intern. we are still friends. i have no regrets
These moments are so remarkable! Even if you don't get a form of contact with the other person, somehow you remember them for years
Totally! I really am glad you asked about this btw I find that more often than not it comes back in ways that wind up being worth far more to life than only the work part. And most often the work part happens as a side effect too but happily it’s not the main point
