My Networking Epiphany: Networking Isn't Just for Extroverts - Introverts Can Build a Powerful Network Too!

I originally studied to be an accountant. I was completely na?ve and unaware how important a personal brand and network are in achieving real career fulfillment and success. I believed hard work, being good at your job and putting in the hours were the keys to success. Only later did I learn that these attributes do not distinguish you or earn you the promotions, salary increases and job satisfaction you deserve.

I had a significant epiphany about the importance of networking at the age of 20, when a university friend and I went back-packing in Southern Africa. We were in Malawi, using local transport (often sharing it with chickens and goats!) and staying in backpackers lodges. There were no cell phones and credit cards – this was 1990! Malawi’s financial infrastructure was poor and they relied on a travelling bank in rural areas. One day we got mixed up and landed up in Blantyre with no money. We were two young girls far from home in a foreign country where we didn’t know anybody, didn’t speak the language, had no cell phone access, no credit cards and NO MONEY!

The owner of the backpackers lodge took pity on us, allowing us to make one landline phone call. We had to think very carefully about who to call. I ran through my network in my head and settled on a school friend’s father who had been to a well-known private school and had a powerful alumni network. He imported goods into Africa and I knew he’d know someone who knew someone. He did. He saved the day. An hour after my phone call $50 in cash was delivered to our lodge. The relief was immediate and profound!

The epiphany for me was that your connections can assist you in solving most of life’s problems, both personally and professionally. Everyone needs a network! Lone rangers only get so far! Growing up, my parents didn’t know people who knew people – they were natural Introverts. When they had a problem they consulted the Yellow Pages, a printed business directory. They often had to repeat repairs or were ripped off by unscrupulous service providers. They didn’t have a network to give them personal referrals or recommendations, thus limiting their ability to make connections that would give them greater access to the right resources.

I developed a hunch that Introverts can build networks, just as well as people who are extroverted in nature. It is a skill that can be learned and perfected by all of us. In fact, Introverts can be really good at networking because they are naturally inclined to listen more deeply and more likely to follow-up after meeting a person. Extroverts aren’t always the best listeners – they tend to speak too much and dominate conversations. They are also often not good at following up after meeting a new person. They get energised by face-to-face interactions, but can lose the person’s contact details and forget to follow up.

I decided to put my hunch to the test and over the past four years have interviewed 253 people who identify as Introverts, from all over the world. My research led me to the writing of my new book “Networking for Introverts”. Over the next few posts I will share some of the nuggets from my book, to equip you with the tools to intentionally grow your personal and professional networks. Introverts specifically can develop their natural inclinations and use them to change their networking trajectory. I believe that my personal brand, connections and networks are one of my biggest life and career assets. You too have the power to develop your own treasure trove of connections and networks!