How do you balance listening and talking when networking with others?

1 Know your purpose

Before you attend a networking event, have a clear idea of what you want to achieve. Do you want to meet new people, reconnect with old contacts, or find potential opportunities? Having a purpose will help you focus your attention and energy on the right people and conversations. It will also help you prepare some questions and topics to start or join a discussion.

2 Be curious and attentive

One of the best ways to balance listening and talking when networking is to be genuinely curious and attentive to the other person. Ask open-ended questions that invite them to share their stories, opinions, or insights. Listen actively and show interest by nodding, smiling, or paraphrasing. Avoid interrupting, checking your phone, or looking around for other people. By being curious and attentive, you will make the other person feel valued and respected, and you will learn more about them.

3 Share your value

While listening is important, you also want to share your value when networking. This means talking about your skills, experience, or goals in a way that is relevant and interesting to the other person. You don't want to brag or dominate the conversation, but you do want to highlight what makes you unique and valuable. You can use stories, examples, or achievements to illustrate your points. You can also relate your value to the other person's needs, challenges, or interests, and offer your help or advice.

4 Find common ground

Another way to balance listening and talking when networking is to find common ground with the other person. This means identifying and building on the things that you have in common, such as hobbies, values, or passions. Finding common ground will help you create rapport and trust, and make the conversation more enjoyable and memorable. You can use humor, compliments, or anecdotes to create a positive connection.

5 Follow up and stay in touch

The last tip to balance listening and talking when networking is to follow up and stay in touch with the people you meet. Networking is not a one-time event, but a long-term process of building relationships. You want to make sure that you don't lose contact with the people who can help you grow and succeed. You can follow up by sending a thank-you email, a LinkedIn request, or a relevant article. You can also stay in touch by checking in regularly, offering your support, or inviting them to another event.

Networking can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding and fun. By following these tips, you can balance listening and talking when networking with others, and boost your self-confidence and reputation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?