Be The Lion in Every Room

When you walk into a room how do you want to perceived? "Working a room" doesn't come natural to me. If I walk in without a game plan I end up blending into the walls. I don't engage in meaningful conversations. I don't meet new people.

I want to be the Lion. I want to sucessfully network. I want to be perceived as confident and competent. I want to enjoy the process. In order to accomplish this I need a plan before engaging. Here is a few steps I follow to make sure this lamb looks like a lion.

(1) Identify the Purpose. I can crush a room. I can out network just about anyone - IF I know why I am there. I need the mission to be clear. If you send me into a room and just say 'go have fun' the room crushes me. I must understand the audience, the purpose, and what I hope to accomplish.

(2) Prepare. Once I know the audience and purpose I do my homework. I google the people and organizations that will be in the room. I search on topics I know they will care about and I come up with three opening lines. These conversation starters will give the confidence to walk up to anyone and grouping because I already know what I am going to say.

(3) Mentally Rehearse. This is an important step. Before I have ever entered the room I have already had full conversations (in my head), I have visualized me walking up to groups, introducing myself and getting a positive reaction. Mental rehearsal tricks your emotions into thinking you have already had the experience and the out come was positive.

(4) Engage. The execution is always the hardest part and the most rewarding. As I enter the room I tell myself no-one knows I am scared. They only know what I show them. The first thing I do is scan the room for the other lion, or dominate group. I walk right up and introduce myself. I never stand outside of a group. I make sure that if I approach anyone I join the conversation. I also make sure to ask more about others than I talk about myself. My goal is to leave every conversation where the other person feels good about themselves. I do this by showing genuine interest, giving genuine compliments, and not having an agenda.

(5) Follow up. Connection made through networking are only mutually beneficial if contact is maintained. After I leave an event I sit in my car and send out emails and LinkedIn messages. I set a calendar invite one week out to follow up on any conversations that need further attention.

Lions are courageous. Lions are Leaders. Lions are dependable. Be the Lion.