Page 58 - Twenty Four Lessons for Mastering Your New Role

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Networking isn’t important

Mix and mingle

N ow that you’re a manager, you’ll need to upgrade your network-
ing skills. Master the art of small talk, and you can build alliances and
develop key contacts both inside and outside your organization.
There’s no secret to effective mingling. You simply need to
approach strangers at mixers and industry conferences, introduce
yourself and ask a friendly question to get the conversation rolling.
Same goes if you’re at a company-wide meeting and you don’t
know the folks sitting next to you. Turn to them and say, “Hi, my
name is ...” Mention where you work and let the dialogue flow from
there.
If you look like you’re going through the motions, people will
notice. They will detect your lack of enthusiasm or your periodic
sighing. Your flat voice tone will convey boredom. And if your eyes
wander while someone’s speaking to you, it’ll appear as if you could-
n’t care less what they have to say.
Pretending to care when you’re distracted or bored will backfire.
It’s better to muster the energy and curiosity to learn from each
encounter, even if you’re exhausted or preoccupied.
Think in advance of a few icebreaker questions you can ask.
Examples include, “What did you think of the speech?” or “How long
have you been participating in this group?” Solicit others’ opinions
without interrogating them, and they will open up to you.
Follow up on interesting points that speakers make. This proves
you want to learn more from them. Don’t recite a litany of questions
without acknowledging or reacting to the answers.

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