WHO IS IN YOUR CORNER?

Do you remember when we were kids and we had cliques. The three people that you always talk to. Being in Business taught me differently. In as much as I had the extroverted gene in me, in many cases, my introvert gene was more dominant, clinging to my circle. I could attend a networking event without making a new friend or reaching out to anyone else other than who I already knew. I could be part of the event and easily be forgotten. Sometimes I was just not interested. We have the whole #NoNewFriends Vybe.

Being in business, got me out of that shell. I remember the first time I had to sell fragrance that I had in my bag. I couldn’t just sit there being quiet in the meeting, it forced me to speak up, interact and share more. I mean, you can’t just keep to a small circle when you are a trader. People have moved across continents to make new friends, meet new people so that they can share what they have. Today, you can network on social media and have the whole world as your runway, not just your small town.

Are you also finding networking awkward like me, are a few tips.

 

1.      Anyone and everyone is your network- When you are too choosy and your are aiming for the most prominent person in the room to speak with, you have already lost it, it is already awkward. Your network is the person right next to you, family, friends and the stranger next to you in a conference. That person could lead you to your destiny. It was the security executives who led me right to my media career. Not the CEO, I never even ever quite got to interact with the CEO.

 

My friend Abdumalik in this picture who we met at YALI introduced me to the Mastercard Foundation Network, which has impacted my life significantly. I have learned so much on how to run my business and leadership. It has opened a whole new world for me.

2.      Be sociable, not for any reason as when you are strategically being a friend it can be smelled. Think of it this way, you are in the presence of a human being. Anyone new has been in places you have never been, never seen. Thus, a conversation with that person gives you entry into a world you have never been.

3.      All you need to do is Ask:- You want cake, say you want cake. Don’t go pretending you do not want cake, so that the cake comes to you. All I have ever had to do is ask. Ask for it. People are so kind and excited to share. All you need to do is ask for it, ask questions. If you think people are bad and evil and are keeping things away from you, you wont ask anything. But when you see people for who they are, they will give you.

So today, don’t think the network is the person furthest from you that makes it tiring to socialize. Your network is the person right next to you.

 

#DreamTips #DreamTribe #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Networking

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XOXO Esther Neema

Instagram: Esther. Neema

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