{"id":2666,"date":"2025-06-27T10:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T08:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frauleadership.com\/?p=2666"},"modified":"2025-06-27T10:29:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T08:29:00","slug":"how-i-learned-to-make-meaningful-connections-at-conferences-even-as-an-introvert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frauleadership.com\/en\/how-i-learned-to-make-meaningful-connections-at-conferences-even-as-an-introvert\/","title":{"rendered":"How I learned to make meaningful connections at conferences \u2014 even as an introvert."},"content":{"rendered":"
\u200b<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hello Reader,<\/p>\n

I recently spoke with a client about her struggle with networking: \u201cI want to learn how to use my network to help me find a job I love. But when I network, I feel like I\u2019m exposing myself. I\u2019m an introvert, and my face shows everything I\u2019m thinking. I also never know what to say to people at conferences \u2014 it can be really overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

If this sounds like you, I hear you.
And I promise \u2014 it gets easier. Every time you talk to someone new, you\u2019ll learn something and grow a bit more confident.<\/p>\n

One of my biggest personal learnings has been this:
\u200bWhat you believe about networking makes a huge difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you treat networking like a numbers game \u2014 \u201cI want to meet as many people as possible and make sure they remember my name\u201d \u2014 it won\u2019t feel good. And it won\u2019t work in the long run.<\/p>\n

Instead, start with genuine curiosity and appreciation<\/strong>. And how I can help the other person.<\/p>\n

There are so many amazing people out there. I\u2019ve learned something from every single person I\u2019ve connected with \u2014 both positive and negative. Both are valuable. Overall the experiences have mostly been positive.<\/p>\n

I now approach every conversation asking myself:
\u200bWhat can I learn from this person?<\/em>\u200b
\u200bHow can I make this moment meaningful for both of us?<\/em><\/p>\n

And by \u201chelping\u201d someone, I mean:<\/p>\n

\u00b7 A warm smile<\/p>\n

\u00b7 A thoughtful question<\/p>\n

\u00b7 A comment that deepens the conversation<\/p>\n

\u00b7 Simply showing empathy<\/p>\n

Networking doesn\u2019t have to be a transaction.<\/strong>\u200b
You\u2019re not at a market. It\u2019s not tit-for-tat.
Be remembered for being a kind, curious human \u2014 and you\u2019ll be surprised how easily conversations start to flow.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re thinking: \u201cBut what do I say after hello?\u201d \u2014 try this:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ud83d\udde3\u201cWhat do you think of the conference so far?\u201d<\/em>\u200b
\ud83d\udde3\u201cWhat are you looking forward to?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

These open the door to natural follow-ups.<\/p>\n

Or simply ask:
\u200b\u201cWant to grab a snack with me?\u201d<\/strong>\u200b
(Bonding over food is one of my personal favourites.)<\/p>\n

Want to practice? Try this:<\/p>\n

Next time you’re out \u2014 even just at your local bakery \u2014 notice something positive about someone and start a short 3\u20134 sentence conversation.<\/p>\n

You can absolutely do this.<\/p>\n

Mareike<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/figure>\n

\"linkedin\"\u200b<\/a>\"instagram\"\u200b<\/a>\"facebook\"\u200b<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How I learned to make meaningful connections at conferences \u2014 even as an introvert.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208956653,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_wp_convertkit_post_meta":{"form":"-1","landing_page":"0","tag":"0","restrict_content":"0"},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1397],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2666","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t