Building Your Network in The Netherlands workshop @ TU Delft (September 2024)

This week I again had the pleasure to meet another lovely group of participants for the 荷兰代尔夫特理工大学 Coming to Delft Service.

Over two hours, we all very much enjoyed learning more about networking and putting this into practice. Below are some of the highlights and insights from the session.

Which "labels" do we give each other in networking?

The "labels" game has become a popular start to these workshops, where I use myself as a "guinea pig" example where we break down the (usually unconscious) labels we are giving each other when we network.

The first "label" we often get in networking is a name tag...but beyond this, we are actively trying to figure out more about the other person, and giving them our own labels on our first impressions when meeting. We discussed what we are basing these on, and being aware of the filters we are using.

Next we all thought about how much influence we have over the labels that others give us, and how we would like to be perceived. Everyone chose one word they would like to give as a first impression, and for those who were comfortable to, gave/received feedback on this.

I really loved this introduction to each other, which so much more quickly went beyond the surface when networking with each other, and really gave an insight into how we were feeling. One participant in particular shared they feel quite anxious, yet others saw them as confident...and many of us agreed we felt the same way. This was a really valuable insight to take along to the next networking situation.

We took this activity one step further by using the Diversity Wheel as a way to consider what kind of networking pitch we'd like to give others in different situations, and all of the many aspects of this.

Why network?

The way in which we network depends a lot on our specific reason at the time. We took some time to explicitly share what our current networking goals were.

Cultural aspects of networking

With a very multicultural group, it's always fascinating to compare the various underlying expectations and "norms" of networking that we bring with us to the Netherlands - but also which we can then take back to our home countries later.

The "I am a Triangle" by Naomi Hattaway is my all time favourite way of explaning this experience, which I found many years ago in her blog post here:

https://medium.com/repatriation-after-the-shipment-is-unpacked/i-am-a-triangle-3b9fd76169f2

Every time I explain this to a group in my own simplified way, I see so many nods of recognition, and there's even been tears of relief from one of my classes in the past as they realised why it can be so hard sometimes to connect with others in another culture.

Networking in the Netherlands

We are, after all, now all currently in the Netherlands, so zoomed into this aspect. The group have been here for anything from just a few weeks, to several years, so we had lots to share about personal experiences. As usual, it's most common that the "directness" comes up.

Language

For the majority of the participants, English is not their native language. We also spent some time talking about how this can affect the networking experience. I shared a basic way to better understand the various aspects of communication (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

Neurodiversity in networking

For a few years now, I've brought in this topic into the workshops as well. Every time, it's wonderful to have at least one participant name this as one of the most useful tips they've had. I'm now giving regular sessions specifically on this, so if you'd like to know more, please message me.

Speed networking

At all of the networking workshops, we include a "borrel" (Dutch snacks/networking style), where everyone has the chance to practice networking with each other.

This time for the first time we tried a speed networking session, so that everyone had a chance to talk to every other participant for at least a few minutes.

Another Renee!

I've now taught workshops to hundreds of people in the Netherlands and Australia...and this is the first time I've met another Renee!

Connecting with each other - and you!

I asked which members of the group would like to be in a photo (see above) and be tagged below here on LinkedIn, so they can continue to connect with each other - and you!

If you're reading this, please feel free to take a look at their profiles and reach out if you like.

Sreenithya Avadakkam

Stephanie Tischenberg

Juan David Lopez Taborda

Layla Brini

Xiaorui Qin

Khaula K.

(still adding more names, check back soon - or message me if you were there and I don't have you linked yet please)

Thanks to the Coming to Delft team

The Coming to Delft team offer an amazing service to support staff & partners

Thanks to Camila Acero for all her hard work to make sure the session ran smoothly, and also Komal Gogi who recently joined the team. Always a delight to see Fabi?nne Scholte-Buijs as well. Their office is a nice location, with a fantastic view over the TU Delft Campus, and if you look closely you can even see the churches in Delft in the background!

Would you like a workshop for your organisation?

I'm available for freelance workshops in the Netherlands (and beyond!) on topics such as:

• Networking
• Neurodiversity
• Intercultural/cross cultural communication
• LinkedIn

Please send me a direct message, or visit www.zestee.com for more information.

Thanks for being a part of my network!