C.A.R.E. is meant to be both a word and an acronym. You do truly have to care for The Process to be effective. If we attempt to connect with others without truly caring about them it won’t work. First of all our efforts will be hollow and not fulfilled. Secondly, those with whom we connect will see right through us and pick up on that “vibe.”
C is for curiosity. We need to be curious about the person we are meeting. A is for attitude about networking. We need to be willing to embrace the serendipity and possibilities that networking brings. R is for respect. We need to respect the person we are meeting in all the ways that can be conveyed through a conversation and intent. E is for empathy. We need to show empathy towards people we meet – and to that end – realize that empathy is not only for sad things, but also for simply feeling what others are feeling whether it be happy, amazed, frustrated, or otherwise.
At the end of the day we simply need to care to establish any kind of relationship.
This is all a part of the Authentic Networking System. Learn more about Authentic Networking at the Professional Networking Workshop on Nov 6th. If you are attending a networking event in the next week, these workshops provide networking practice, information, and resources. Learn and reinforce concepts, ideas, and processes that make networking more comfortable and effective. Workshop Info
If you missed earlier posts, or just want to see the entire Authentic Networking System all laid out, start to finish, download the printable PDF HERE.
