GYCZ – Professionally Ending A Networking Conversation

How do you professionally and respectfully end a networking conversation that isn’t going anywhere?

Earlier this year I helped run a workshop on the topics of public speaking and networking skills. During the event a question was asked that I hadn’t previously thought about. The question asked was “how do you professionally end a networking conversation that isn’t going anywhere?”

Although I’ve navigated such situations, I hadn’t thought about a consistent, repeatable approach for such scenarios. Through a group discussion, we shaped an approach. Our group was comprised of newcomers to the city and 75% of the audience would be attending a networking event/job fair the following day.

My general advice for initiating a networking conversation is to;

1.    Ask what brings your conversation partner to the event

2.  Ask some follow-up questions about their reasons

3.  Volunteer some information about why you’re attending the event

4.  Assess if there is mutual opportunity

 

An Example

As an example, your conversation partner may be searching for employees in the Information Technology field. You can ask some further questions about industries supported, about specific IT skills they seek, industries the company works with, etc.

You can then offer your reasons for attending. Maybe you’re seeking a position in marketing. Ideally your conversation partner will ask some follow-up questions.

As the conversation begins to lull, it’s fine to look for a graceful exit if there’s no obvious fit, regardless how pleasant your conversation partner happens to be.

A simple approach is to thank your conversation partner for the discourse, demonstrate you were listening and indicate you’ll pass on the opportunity if you meet some attendees skilled in IT, and to ask if the partner could suggest someone you might want to talk with about your ambitions.

 

Sample Dialogue

“Hi my name is Jim. What brings you to this event?”

“Hi I’m Mary and we’re here looking for potential hires for our IT operation.”

“Interesting. What specific skill sets are you looking for?”

“We’re looking primarily for people with experience in cloud computing and cybersecurity.”

“I see.  Cloud computing and cybersecurity.  I’m here because I’m searching for a position where I can use my experience in marketing, preferably in product development.”

“I see.”

… Conversation lull

“Well thanks for the conversation.  If I encounter an attendee with cybersecurity or cloud computing background, I’ll send them your way. Do you have a business card, or can we connect now on LinkedIn?”

“Thanks again. Is there anyone you’d suggest I speak with about my desire to find a position in marketing?”

 

Ending Conversations in General

When networking as a job seeker, it is critical to build one’s network, as you never know how an opportunity might emerge. However, you do want to make effective use of your time, and respect the time commitment of other attendees. If a conversation isn’t productive, it’s appropriate to professionally wrap it up.

 

Previous Networking Post – A Simple Networking Tip

I have previously written about networking here

https://gycz.blogspot.com/2024/02/a-simple-networking-tip.html

What Is The Point Of The Game?

In May I delivered an online presentation to a group in the United Kingdom.  In my preparation, I discovered a couple of terrific quotes related to leadership which I’ll share below.

One of the sections in my presentation emphasizes that public speaking and leadership are skills, and skills require regular exercise and practice.

During this section of the presentation, I relate public speaking to sports, and the manner in which athletes routinely practice very basic skills, their core skills.  I typically reference LeBron James as he is well known globally, and as a deservedly celebrated basketball player. LeBron James practices basic skills such as making free throws and dribbling the basketball.

I’m sure most of my audience in the U.K. were familiar with LeBron James, but I wanted to use a soccer (“football”) comparison.  I found some references to Harry Kane being the LeBron James of football, so I used him as a reference. 

Additionally, I wanted to refer to basic football skills, and found this excellent primer. I love it for it’s simplicity and for the teamwork quotes below.

https://soccerhandbook.com/coaching-training/basic-soccer-skills/

Quote 1 – The Point of the Game

 

“Winning isn’t everything, but, well, it is kind of the point of the game.”

 

If you’re leading a team, what is the point of your game?  You may have significant liberty in defining the point of the game, but most teams are usually a component of a larger team, and the point of the game will be defined by the more senior team, and shaped by organizational goals, markets, political pressures etc.

Team members need to understand the point of the game, and direct their energy to winning.  For LeBron James, after 48 minutes one game is done, and the next soon begins. For many teams, after twelve months the game is done, and the next begins. 

 

Quote 2 – Making Progress

 

“You will never be able to dribble faster than the football can be passed.”

 

I’m sure you’ve encountered leaders who decide to do most of the work themselves, or are overly rigid in how a task is performed. This is usually because the leader believes his way is the best way, and perhaps the only way. Maybe you’ve led in this way when you started your path as a leader.

By focusing on results, on completions, and not on how the task is completed, progress can be faster. This doesn’t preclude performance considerations but does require that time constraints, quality expectations, and other factors be well defined by the leaders assigning the goals.

Focusing on results instead of specific methods will also help team members develop, and will likely unveil innovative and improved methods. 

 

Conclusion

 

I love finding references from other disciplines that offer perspective on public speaking and leadership.  These two quotes are serendipitous finds as a result of searching for content on basic football skills, that supported my core content.