Page 59 - Twenty Four Lessons for Mastering Your New Role

Stettner24.qxd 11/6/2002 3:46 PM Page 49
Look for openings in the conversation to express genuine praise
or admiration. If speakers mention accomplishments, such as earn-
ing a professional designation or getting a new office or new job title,
congratulate them. Prolong their pleasure by asking more questions
about their latest triumphs.
When mingling within your company, don’t assume your col-
leagues in other departments (or even your bosses!) know what you’re
doing. They may not ask what you’re working on and how it’s going,
so you should keep a running list of talking points to weave into the
conversation.
To enhance your networking:
Keep it positive: When you meet a stranger, stick to safe, upbeat
subjects. Don’t complain or talk critically of others.
Restate before you respond: If you need time to mull over an
answer or you’re uncomfortable with the question, repeat in slightly
different words what someone just said. This encourages him or her
to elaborate, which in turn helps you buy time to plan the most
diplomatic answer.

Know in advance who’ll attend: Leave less to chance by reviewing
the guest list. That way, you can identify influential people you want
to meet and plan how you’ll approach them.

“The suggestion to ‘network’ is nothing more than a
fancy way of saying, ‘Talk to people.’”
—Peter Vogt

48