About an hour ago I had the honor of being one of 15-20 business professionals to participate in a “networking” event to give High School students in the Entrepreneurship Program at @Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy real-time experience.
I love networking. I love the art of conversation. I love the “science” behind it. Don’t get me wrong- no one is hiring me to do a networking clinic any time soon. BUT, I have been around enough to see the do’s, the DON’T’s, and all the stereotypes. My thought was, all of my peers there were probably going to go the “lead by example” approach.
I took a different approach. “What if???” I took all the annoying habits, did a comprehensive checklist of the “don’t” column and mashed it all into one person. We’ve all been there, I’m talking about the person that:
- Rarely makes eye contact
- Is “fully present” somewhere else
- (the worst)- a “dead(or)cold fish” handshake
- Gave really bad details of what I did
- Checked my phone (even sent a text)
- Asked repetitive questions or asked a question about a detail they just gave me
- Etc…
I am usually fairly animated so I decided to clutch a drink in one hand and parked my other hand into my pocket… which REALLY helped to knock me off balance and made my interaction all the more awkward… intentionally.
This program is really amazing! There were some students that took to the exercise and actively tried to engage me out of this shell… which, by the way, they had no idea it was an act. This school program is doing great things to teach and expose students to situations that I’m certain an overwhelming majority of schools (even some colleges) are not doing. They are actively teaching an art to students.
I would strongly encourage those in my professional reach to participate in any program that allows you to pay your experience forward to the next generation.
HOWEVER, allow me to be “bad cop” for a moment. I listed six mannerisms above. I’ve been to my share of networking events in my time- there are professionals that attend networking events- for the purpose of networking- and check off a number of those stereotype boxes. I didn’t do all things to each student, but rolled with the conversation. Each time I reached for my phone I was thinking “don’t do it, don’t do it…. This is sooooo rude….” and then I did it. Unfortunately, some know who you are, you won’t think twice to pull out your phone while in conversation. Bad Cop advice- going to a networking event?- leave the phone in the car.
Today’s students need to learn the art of networking.. and sometimes just basic conversation. They learn best by observing. If all they see is a professional (or parent) that can’t put their phone down and be in the present for a span of time- they will follow the example they’re given.
Networking is an art. Stomach butterflies and cold sweat are character builders. I still get those. Pay your expertise and craft forward. And to those students from this morning who wondered where on earth their teacher found this guy at….. I AM SOOOOO SORRY!
