Imagine walking on a sidewalk in a city that is unfamiliar to you.
You’ve heard about an art gallery that you’re curious to see.
You ask a stranger for directions to the gallery.
When you ask for directions, a few things could happen.
The stranger tells you to walk a certain number of blocks and turn right.
The stranger says they work there (!) and would be happy to give you a tour.
The stranger says they too are from out of town, but the staff in the nearby coffee shop are very friendly and might be helpful.
The stranger shares that they love art galleries and recommends a different one that is closer.
The stranger may be pre-occupied to give you any of their attention in that moment.
There is no obligation after that.
After getting their response, you don’t have to continue the conversation.
You don’t have to report back to the stranger.
You don’t have to go into the gallery even if you find it.
You can ask them for directions again.
Networking is exploring.
In many of my mentoring sessions, I help craft a list of 3-5 “places” they want to explore.
It’s not about asking for a job. And it’s not about only being focused on one thing.
It’s about actively looking for conversations to enjoy, that help you learn a little more about something you’re interested in. Ideally it’s something that you can’t just learn in a textbook.
The bonus is that it also helps others see that interest as part of your brand.
Things on the list could be:
- Ways to motivate in a hybrid work environment
- How linear or squiggly other people’s career paths have been
- What impact artificial intelligence might have on a particular industry product
- Ways to navigate non-promotable work assignments
- How to blend short term and long term priorities
As you continue to ask for directions to these places, you’ll find more people you enjoy talking with. And they’ll refer you to others. And you’ll be surprised at discovering places you didn’t even know existed until you started moving toward them!
TL:DR
- Explore topics by asking for directions as though they are locations
- Be curious about topics that have many possible perspectives
- Let people see that you’re interested in the bigger picture
