What sucks about networking/making connections?

3 points·ThatJonathanGuy··5 comments

I can feel very awkward at in-person events. And don't think online platforms/systems have been that useful. What do you think, what sucks about networking/making connections?

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The only thing that sucks about it for me, as an introvert, is the energy drain from socializing.

Otherwise, I quite like people and I’m generally pretty interested in them. I don’t really feel awkward at events, because I have confidence and try to be humble/genuine, warts and all. I’m there to learn about and from people. People like that.

For whatever reasons, socializing seems to drain energy from introverts. Extroverts, however, seem to get energy from these interactions.

I feel you re introversion! Though it can be context-dependent - I'd say I'm more introverted, but if it's the right group of people I can be more extroverted. Hard part is knowing what the energy will be like before the event

This is true for me, too and a perspective I hadn't considered before. Perhaps some latent lack of confidence or comfortness on my part.

The conversation part. I am not good at talking to people in person or holding an interesting conversation in general, nor confident enough to just go up to strangers and just starting chatting with them.

As you can probably guess, networking has been an absolute pain.

And especially if it's the chit-chat that needs to be done before the more interesting bits can be discussed.

How has online been for you? Any easier, knowing who you're chatting to?

And is it all conversation, or just topics that don't interest you? I find it desperately boring (to the point of unstoppable yawning!) when a topic doesn't interest me, but if it involves tech, business, politics or Bitcoin I'm actively engaged

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