Dotty Scott offers advice for introverts at networking events: go somewhere unfamiliar, be playful, introduce yourself as new to the room, ask people to explain who's who, and bring a friend or mentor for support.
or we're introverts and we just really don't like to like go to those big events and mix and mingle with people. Do you have suggestions on how we can handle getting into even, even making the step of getting to make a first impression?
Yeah, that's a really good question. When, when you're brand new to a situation, actually, I'm going to go back. I have this young man that I was working with and he was terrified to speak to people. He just didn't wanna do anything. And I said, I want you to go to, and other people have tried this and it works. Go someplace where you don't know anyone. You're never going to see them again. And just play, be playful because that works. And then go to the places of importance. I think when you go, I, I learned to say, walk up to people, and I know it was, it's hard because it was hard for me. I'd walk up to someone and I'd say, you know, I'm new here, this is my first time, and I have no idea what to expect. Can you help me out by like telling me who's who in the room or what people do during this meeting and the get-together, what's appropriate, what's not. And it gives them a feeling of importance because you've actually asked them for help. And that person will probably take you around and introduce you. And if they don't, ask them to. And there's no shame in that, because when you say, "I'm new," most people will say, "Well, let me introduce you to a few people." I do that if someone says, "I'm new," Or if I go to an event and I've, I have, I've not seen that person before, I actually walk up to them and say, are you new? And it just breaks the ice. So we might need to look out of our own comfort zone and greet people and do things we wouldn't ordinarily do. And I know that for an introvert, that's really hard. And If I were an introvert, and, and people will never believe me when I say I'm an introvert. I am an introvert when I am unfamiliar with the conversation, with the topic, with the people, and otherwise I've learned to be an extrovert. But we all go through this. And if you've got a problem, turn to a friend, turn to me, um, and ask questions. Because someone will be out there to give you an answer and they will appreciate you for it.
