What do you do if your career connections feel shallow?

1 Reflect Deeply

Reflecting on the nature of your connections is crucial. Consider what makes them feel shallow. Is it a lack of common interests, or perhaps the interactions are too transactional? Recognize that relationships are a two-way street; they require effort and authenticity from both parties. Use Motivational Interviewing techniques to explore your own motivations and values in networking. This self-reflection can help you understand what you're truly seeking in professional relationships and guide you towards more meaningful connections.

2 Initiate Change

Once you've identified the shortcomings in your connections, it's time to initiate change. Begin by setting clear intentions for your networking activities. What are your goals? Who would you like to connect with, and why? Approach new and existing connections with curiosity and the desire to understand their professional journeys and challenges. By showing genuine interest and empathy, you're laying the groundwork for deeper, more impactful relationships.

3 Engage Authentically

Engagement is key to deepening connections. Apply the principles of Motivational Interviewing by actively listening to your contacts and responding with reflective statements. This demonstrates that you value their thoughts and experiences. When you engage authentically, you're not just exchanging information; you're building rapport and trust. This sets the stage for a more profound connection that can lead to collaborative opportunities and mutual support.

5 Seek Feedback

Seeking feedback is an important step in improving the quality of your connections. Ask for honest input from your contacts about how they view the relationship and what could make it more mutually beneficial. This not only shows that you value their opinion but also gives you insight into how you can better align with their needs and expectations. It's a proactive approach that can lead to more meaningful interactions and collaboration.

6 Sustain Efforts

Finally, sustaining your efforts is crucial for deepening career connections. Networking isn't a one-time event but an ongoing process. Keep in touch with your contacts, follow up on previous conversations, and continue to show interest in their work. By consistently applying the principles of Motivational Interviewing, such as expressing empathy and supporting autonomy, you'll be able to maintain and grow your professional relationships over time.

7 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?