For me, Matthew Miller (Senior Director Product Management at Salesforce) was one of those people many years ago at a Tableau event. Whenever we meet, we make sure to connect (and reminisce) and we talk about his approach that works so well.
His secret? He always acts as the host. It doesn’t matter whether he meets people in his office or a random conference venue. He acts like they’ve arrived at his place and he’s there to welcome them in, making them feel like they’re exactly where they’re supposed to be.
Always be the host.
How can you use this idea when growing your professional network?
Here are some examples:
- When someone arrives at an event, approach them, introduce yourself and invite them to join your group and be part of the conversation.
- When you see someone looking a little lost during the lunch break, ask whether they’ve eaten yet and offer to join them.
- At a drinks reception or after-party, offer people a drink (be sensible about their choices, not everyone wants a beer). A simple “do you need a drink?” does the trick. I don’t expect you to buy drinks for everyone, just to make sure no one feels left out with nothing to hold onto.
- In a group conversation, ensure everyone has a chance to contribute if they’d like. Invite them to share their thoughts.
Maybe you don’t love the idea of approaching people so directly…?
Here are some alternative ideas:
- Focus on small but mighty gestures like opening the door for someone, or sitting in the front during their presentation. Offer them a supporting nod and smile during their talk.
- When you are in conversation with someone, give them your undivided attention. This can be hard at a busy event, but people appreciate it so much and it’s a great opportunity to make them feel seen and heard.
- During the group discussion mentioned above, use your chance to contribute, whether that’s adding a new idea or supporting/adding to an existing one. Your voice is important and it helps others feel like they can speak up, too.
Always be the host. To me it means being a friendly face in the crowd, being someone people can turn to when they’re not sure how to get started. It also means adding a bit of flair when the occasion allows and putting a smile on people’s faces.
Try it this week. Maybe a new person is joining your team or you’re attending a meetup. What about an outdoor dinner with friends and family? You don’t need to be the organiser to act like a welcoming host.
I’d love to hear about your experiences. Send me an email and let me know!
Have a great week!
Eva