Reluctant to Network? Try These Tips and ‘Starter Questions’
Lawyers who are reluctant to network often voice fears that they don’t know how to make conversation, or that the conversations they join are shallow and boring.
Lawyer coach Debra Bruce says lawyers will find it easier to break the ice if they come equipped with starter questions to get the conversation rolling. Writing in the Legal Intelligencer, she lists several examples, including:
• How is the economy affecting you or your business?
• If you were the president, how would you fix ___? (Fill in the blank yourself).
• What kind of summer vacations did you enjoy as a kid?
• How is your workplace handling generational differences?
Lawyers don’t need a snappy comeback or brilliant insights during these conversations. But it is important to listen and ask follow-up questions. Afterward, lawyers can send articles to the people they meet on the subject of their conversations.
Bruce offers other tips. One of them: Go to networking events with the goal of helping other people, even if it’s pointing them to the restroom or suggesting an online resource. Another tip: Networking is about building relationships, so lawyers will need to make repeat appearances.
