<p>On this episode of <em>Honest HR</em>, Erich Kurschat is back! He and Callie continue their conversation on communication and the all too relatable struggle of networking. Networking is hard, and not everyone likes it. But it can be both enjoyable and fruitful. For Erich, that meant reframing what success looked like in a way that was genuine and authentic to his personality style. <br /><br />Listen in as two self-described introverts discuss shifting your perspective on the uncomfortable world of networking, to focusing on the value of connecting with people in a way that's natural (and maybe even a little fun!).</p><p><b>Key episode takeaway:</b> "Anytime you're going to make a connection with someone, whether it's face to face or in some virtual capacity, it's more meaningful if you provide some sort of context."<br /><br />---<br /><b>EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENING</b><br />Honest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while you earn professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All you have to do is listen to a full mini-series to earn PDCs! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast recording itself.<br /><br />The Honest HR podcast is only one of SHRM's podcast offerings. And currently, it is the only one approved for recertification PDCs.<br />---<br /><b>This episode is Part 2 of a two-part series. </b>When you listen to all parts of the series, you are eligible to receive PDCs for your participation.</p>
On this episode of Honest HR, Erich Kurschat is back! He and Callie continue their conversation on communication and the all too relatable struggle of networking. Networking is hard, and not everyone likes it. But it can be both enjoyable and fruitful. For Erich, that meant reframing what success looked like in a way that was genuine and authentic to his personality style.
Listen in as two self-described introverts discuss shifting your perspective on the uncomfortable world of networking, to focusing on the value of connecting with people in a way that's natural (and maybe even a little fun!).
Key episode takeaway: "Anytime you're going to make a connection with someone, whether it's face to face or in some virtual capacity, it's more meaningful if you provide some sort of context."
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EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENING
Honest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while you earn professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All you have to do is listen to a full mini-series to earn PDCs! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast recording itself.
The Honest HR podcast is only one of SHRM's podcast offerings. And currently, it is the only one approved for recertification PDCs.
---
This episode is Part 2 of a two-part series. When you listen to all parts of the series, you are eligible to receive PDCs for your participation.
Speaker 1:
So, welcome everybody. This is Callie Zipple, your host of Honest HR. I'm excited to have you back for another episode of what's turned out to be a really great podcast. I am recording today live from our SHRM19 conference. It's our largest conference to date. We're excited to be in Las Vegas. By the time this drops, we will have left Las Vegas, but I think it's cool that the topic that we're going to be talking about today speaks volumes about the activity that we have going on here in Vegas. So, I'm excited to announce, or welcome, I'll say, our guest today, and it's Erich. He is a returner, our second returner, I believe, on Season Two, to join us, again, on the podcast. We're going to be talking about "networking 2.0." Erich's first episode dropped. It's number 13 from Season One, and it's called Networking, Consider a Single Conversation a Success.
So, this is going to be sort of part two to that conversation. So, if you haven't listened to Erich's first conversation with me about networking, I invite you to do that either before or after this episode, but what we talk about today is just addition to the original conversation. And so if you haven't listened to it yet, that's okay. This is still going to be some really great information for you, and it's eligible for PDCs, which is wonderful, as all Season Two episodes are. So, Erich, welcome. Give us a little bit of a rundown. I know you did this last time, but tell us again who you are, why you're here, why you're excited to be in Vegas, all the things SHRM.
Speaker 2:
Happy to do so. I'm back because I loved our first conversation. I couldn't leave it at that. We had to talk again. So, it's good to be back and I appreciate you having me. My name is Erich Kurschat. I have a company called Harmony Insights, and I do HR coaching and consulting primarily around the DISC personality assessment, helping teams understand themselves, the communication styles of others so that they can lead and sell and manage and just communicate more effectively with one another. I'm all about meaningful connection. And along the way, I decided that I absolutely had to serve HR folks. That is my own background. I spent 16 years in corporate HR, and I didn't want to be far from a profession that was very familiar to me. So, I started the HR hot seat mastermind, and it kind of took off from there.
Speaker 1:
What a great platform, in SHRM 19, for talking about connecting and networking, and I'm just so thrilled to have you back on the podcast to talk about such a great topic and in such a great place as SHRM 19. So, the first question, or the first topic I want to talk about is specific to LinkedIn. So, the last time we talked, I was really keyed in on your connect coach. What was it?
Speaker 2:
Connection coach.
Speaker 1:
"Coach connection coach," I was really keyed in on that title on your LinkedIn profile. And so I went back and looked at LinkedIn again, because I wanted to start with LinkedIn being our first point of conversation today. And we talked about how important it is to cultivate and own the relationships that we have with other people, and there was one thing that I saw on LinkedIn... You posted it recently actually... About how you receive invitations that aren't personalized and then when you try to interact with these individuals who are inviting you to be a connection, you don't hear back, or there's no response. And so for me, LinkedIn is such a differentiator in the business professional space if we use it for good. If we can use our power of LinkedIn and our profiles for good, it's a game changer. So, let's talk about just some pointers as it relates to using LinkedIn and as it relates to networking specifically, if you don't mind.
Speaker 2:
I love it. And used a good word. It's a "differentiator," and again, I think in terms of analogies. I can't help but think of the people that I've done career coaching for that, when I ask what their job search strategy is, they say they get up in the morning in their pajamas and they move over to their computer and they submit resumes all day, and I think, "That's what everybody else is doing." And I feel like given that everybody else is doing that, it's so easy to stand apart from everybody else just by doing something a little bit different. You don't have to show up to your employer of choice in a top hat in a cane and make a big show, but you can do something.
Speaker 1:
Although, that works. I've seen it work, for the record, but...
Speaker 2:
It really doesn't take much at all. And so when it comes to LinkedIn, that's right, and I certainly didn't want to come across as judgemental with that post, because quite often, there may be good reason to simply reach out to folks to connect without doing much personalization. I honestly can't think of what those reasons would be though. And so that's the catch is anytime that you're going to make a connection with somebody, whether it's face to face or online in some virtual capacity, I think it's so much more meaningful if you are providing some sort of context, that you're saying, "I'm all about intention, so I'm being intentional about this connection. This is what I'm looking to get out of it, or preferably, what I'm looking to give out of it. I wanted to give you some context for who I am and where this is coming from." And I really am surprised by the vast majority of connection requests that I receive that are missing that personalization.
Speaker 1:
And what's wild is that I share that sentiment, and I know that I also have sent out invites that aren't personalized, and the reality of it is that I didn't know you could personalize on your cell phone, and I've learned this recently. I did some research and learned that there is an actual personalization area on the LinkedIn app on your cell phone that allows you to add that personalized touch. And I it's changed the way that I connect and link into people because I, like you, want that context. I want to understand what it is this person either is looking for, or how I can help this individual, and a blanket, "Hi, let me join your LinkedIn network," isn't going to give me that, so-
Speaker 2:
And I think you're probably speaking for a number of people who don't realize that, and if you're listening in the audience, if you hit "connect" and you're on your desktop, it gives you, by default, the opportunity to personalize. If you were on your phone and you hit "connect," it just sends the connection, and you think, "Wait a minute. I didn't get to say something I wanted to say," and I think there might be three little dots off to the side. It's an additional menu that gives... I think it says "personalized invites," so it gives you an additional opportunity.
Speaker 1:
And for those who don't know how to do it, Google it or YouTube it. You can learn literally everything, how to do, on either of those two sites. And it's been, like I said, a game changer in how I use LinkedIn and how I connect with people virtually via that platform.
Speaker 2:
So, I would say, part two, I think you had, you had mentioned in your initial question too, or the second part, I guess, of my post on LinkedIn recently, had to do with the fact that I will accept requests from other people whether or not they're personalized. I will accept those. And then I, as a habit, make a point to respond. "Thanks for the connection. I really appreciate it. It's great to meet you. What can I do for you? How can I be of service," because I figure-
Speaker 1:
Or, "Why did you reach out? What was behind your invite? Help me out."
Speaker 2:
"What's your motivation?" I've changed my wording, and again, it's crickets. I think even more than the personalization, that is even a bigger surprise to me, because the analogy that I think of is you, Callie, call me on the phone, and I pick it up, and I say, "Hey, it's Erich. How can I help you?" If you sit there silent, it's awkward for both of us.
Speaker 1:
And you're going to hang up.
Speaker 2:
When I accept your LinkedIn request, I'm assuming... And maybe that's where I've gone wrong... I'm assuming that there's some motivation behind that. You want an introduction. You want advice. You want inspiration. You want to help me maybe. Whatever the motivation, I want to know what that is, especially if I can be of service to you. And so when I respond, "How may I help you," and I don't hear back from them. I think I put this in my post. Ultimately, I think it's just missed opportunity, and I'll be happy to be connected. Maybe down the road, we'll get to meet face to face, but it is such a differentiator, and I highly recommend that people give that some serious consideration. "How are you being perceived when you reach out to other people on LinkedIn?"
Speaker 1:
It's not about just the number anymore. You can look at your LinkedIn profile and see how many connections you have, but the number doesn't mean anything if those aren't meaningful, and there are so many ways to make those connections more meaningful like the ways we literally just talked about. So, I think people can be a little bit more planful and have a little bit more meaning behind those connections, certainly.
Speaker 2:
And I think we talked about introversion a little bit on the first podcast, and may talk about it in this conversation as well.
Speaker 1:
We're about to.
Speaker 2:
I mean, as a self described introvert, meaning is behind so much of the connecting that I do. And if that's missing in some way, or lacking, or insufficient, or whatever you want to say, I'm not as eager to make those connections and so if I hear from you, give me some context. Let me know what the reason is, and I'm happy to help, but I want some of that to be personalized.
Speaker 1:
I feel you, and I agree. And it's funny that you mentioned the "introversion," because the next topic we are going to discuss isn't technically all about the introverts. It's more about people who hate networking in general, and that's not just introverts. It's extroverts.
Speaker 2:
It's a wide sample of people.
Speaker 1:
It's everybody, if I'm being honest. Networking can be hard, and not all networking can be virtual. So, when we're thinking about these networking events like SHRM19, we have over 20,000 individuals.
Speaker 2:
Can you get a better networking event than SHRM19?
Speaker 1:
You can't. You can't do it, but it is also a little overwhelming for people. So, we talked about this a little bit on our last episode, and I put in my notes here, "Drum roll, please. Not everybody likes networking," and you don't need a drum roll for it because everybody knows it, but what are some of the ways? As we are starting SHRM19 and as other individuals after SHRM19 will consider going to in person networking events, how can we make those events less scary for people?
Speaker 2:
It's a great question. So, as you know, I'm speaking on two sessions here at SHRM19, and the first one is called How to Network Like an Introvert, or just Network Like an Introvert. The second one is on mastermind groups, but I've had a great time putting together this networking presentation, because as an introvert myself, it's something that I have traditionally struggled with. And I had to get to a place where I was learning how to do it in a way that was both enjoyable and fruitful, because I had been hearing from other people that it could be those things, and I did not see it myself, and I needed to prove that, "I know there's value here, but I don't want to do it like anybody else does it. I want to do it in a way that's genuine and authentic to who I am in my personality style."
And that was my first "aha" moment is that to really enjoy networking, I couldn't do it like my extroverted friends were doing it. I was never going to want to be the center of attention in the middle of this big circle of people, entertaining folks. I was more likely to be the person who was standing in the corner with somebody else who was maybe equally uncomfortable, and that was going to be the way that I was going to connect with someone. And maybe I wasn't going to go home with 20 business cards. Maybe it was one. Maybe it was two or three, but I had to sort of reframe what success was going to look like for me. The first way that I did that was doing it in a way that was more genuine to who I am in my personality style. The second way is by taking the spotlight off of myself, I think a lot of the people who don't care to professionally network don't care to be in the spotlight, because it feels awkward and it feels disingenuine sometimes.
So, along the way I started saying to people, "If you don't like being in spotlight, shine it elsewhere," and sometimes the people who are least comfortable in that spotlight are the last to realize that they can point it wherever they want. So, you and I strike up a conversation. You start out maybe by asking me a question, and I answer it maybe in some way that I've prepared, or some way that I come up with on the spot. I don't have to keep that attention on me, and actually, it's in my best interest to turn that around and say, "Well, Callie, tell me about yourself. Why do you do the work that you do?" As then somebody who identifies as being introverted, I like to think that I'm a good listener.
I'm kind of curious and analytical. I am so much more comfortable if you're doing the talking. Now, suddenly, it's less about this transactional approach to meeting other people and so much more about a relational connection, where I'm getting to know you and maybe we're developing a friendship that has nothing to do with me being served and nothing to do with keeping the spotlight over my head, but instead focused on helping you solve some challenge, which is going to endear me to you or you to me in a much more effective way than if I said, "Well, thanks for asking Callie. I prepared a 20 minute monologue about me. Nobody wants that."
Speaker 1:
You guys couldn't see it, but I was rolling my eyes, because a 20 minute monologue sounds rough.
Speaker 2:
We've all been there.
Speaker 1:
And I think the way that this could resonate with our listeners is... Think about any job you started brand new as an HR practitioner, and you're walking through, meeting other individuals. You're the new person. Everybody else has been there for however long they've been there. They're always going to ask you, "Hey, who are you? Tell me your story. You're going to have to be on, and you're going to have to have a sort of canned response for it, and you're going to have to be comfortable with being the center of attention for at least a little bit of time. But if you are having a meaningful conversation with somebody that you know you have to cultivate that relationship with as an HR professional, take an opportunity to say, "I'm Callie. I started on Monday. I came from whatever organization. What do you do here? Tell me about how you interact with HR on a regular basis, and how I can help you," and guess what. That's way less than the 30 seconds or a minute that you've prepared walking into that introductory conversation with somebody.
Speaker 2:
And I think an obstacle to that is when we are networking, we're usually networking because we need something, and quite often, it's a job. So, you go in and you think, "The reason I'm here is because I need to get something from somebody else." That is going to be the biggest possible hindrance in terms of you enjoying yourself. So, part of what I like to preach is a change in perspective that says... I think it's the universal law of reciprocity... That says, "If I help enough other people get what they want, I will get what I want." So, if, instead of leading with, "Hey, you know what? I could really use a job. Who do you know that's hiring," if I can help you solve a problem that you have, maybe in this conversation, I haven't even mentioned that I'm looking for work, but you're going to walk away so pleased to have met me and so eager to maybe reciprocate a favor that, down the road, we're going to be in such a good position for me to get to the point about where I am in my job search.
Speaker 1:
Well, and even more importantly is you haven't exhausted that relationship yet, because sometimes when you're in a networking opportunity, or you're meeting somebody for the first time, you can exhaust that other person so much so that they won't come back to you a second time, or they'll dread coming back to you a second time. So, it's good to know exactly when to stop the conversation too and-
Speaker 2:
And often, it's because your perception of that relationship is that it is finite and the end of it comes with the end of that event. Again, it's a change in perspective, recognizing that you're going to be so better off if you walk into a networking event, or a networking conversation, seeing it as the beginning of a longterm relationship, where a couple days, a couple of months into it, you may develop a friendship that goes well beyond any sort of professional relationship you have with that person. Needless to say, I'm a convert, and I actually enjoy networking now.
Speaker 1:
Wow, I can't say that yet, but I'm working on it. I'm working on it, and I think one of the other reasons... And this is our next topic of conversation here... Some people avoid networking events, because they feel like there's other people there who want to sell to them, or who are the "serial networkers," and they're there to get as many business cards as they can, and they don't necessarily care about the conversations that are being had, but they have to report out to their boss or whoever, "I got this many business cards, this many leads," and frankly, we don't want to be sold to in a networking-
Speaker 2:
Agreed.
Speaker 1:
... Conversation. So, for those individuals that do have that sort of mentality when they walk into these networking events, how can we help them realize that isn't necessarily a career builder? It's sometimes a career hindrance, or a networking hindrance for those individuals, and how can we help them network better when all they're seeing is numbers, or an accumulation of business cards?
Speaker 2:
This is something that's near and dear to my heart, and I mentioned that HR hot seat, inclusive mastermind community earlier. And one of the things that I am most particular about is the service providers, the vendors that come in, who are such a valuable piece of our conversation that they are engaging with our other members in a way where they primarily serve and educate. And I don't want to give selling a bad rap, because selling, at its basis, is just sharing your enthusiasm. So, you and I, even in this conversation, I'm selling sort of networking. You're selling various things. It, I think, if done well, can be insightful and engaging and build relationship, but to your point-
Speaker 1:
And that's fair. I'll be honest. I've never thought of it that way, and that might have been an "aha" moment for me just now. So, I really appreciate you-
Speaker 2:
Excellent.
Speaker 1:
... Sharing that.
Speaker 2:
Who wrote the book Drive? Now I suddenly am blanking on his name. Daniel Pink wrote a book called To Sell is Human, and I would recommend that your listeners check that out. It makes the argument that we are all in the business of moving and persuading other people. And so if you have any sort of a version to the word "selling" or "sales," if you've ever recommended that a family member goes to a restaurant or sees a movie, you're selling those, things and it's just sharing your enthusiasm. So, again, it's that change in perspective. So, I would say to our friends that are going to networking events, seeing other people as numbers, it's that you're short changing the relationship. By seeing people as numbers instead of people, you're pushing them away, and that's the... HRHotSeat members come to me regularly and say, "One of the things that we love about this community is that we show up and we don't feel that we're being "sold to" in that negative way.
But instead we feel that the people who are here, representing other organizations and companies that serve HR folks, are here to educate us, and to help us with whatever challenges we face even if it goes beyond their jurisdiction, and I will add to this that that's one of the biggest things that I've learned about myself in the past few years is the value of connecting to people. You come to me and say, "Hey, this is something I could need. Previously, Erich would've said..." Or, "This is something that I do need. Erich would've said, 'You know what? That's not in my wheelhouse. I'm sorry. I can't help you. Good luck with that,'" and now I will bend over backwards to try to connect you with somebody else. I think that is one of the most genuine selfless ways of being of service to folks. You're only going to take those initiatives if you're seeing people as people instead of as numbers, as dollar amounts, as revenue.
Speaker 1:
And I think sometimes, even if you're not going in trying to sell to people, but you're still trying to get as many business cards, or whatever, you're losing the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation, because once you get the business card, or once you get the lead, you're already checked out of that conversation. And there could have been some additional conversations had that lead to, "You have this problem. I know this person. Let's get coffee and we can talk a little bit more about what it is that you're working through right now." So, I just feel like there needs to be, for those individuals looking for numbers and looking for business cards, a little bit more meaning behind those interactions.
Speaker 2:
That's a great point, and I can hear some of your listeners saying, "It is a numbers game. The more people you get in front of, the more business cards you take home, the more resumes you submit, the greater the chances of payoff," and although I understand that argument, I've also seen people be so focused, get in front of the right people, so not about quantity but about quality. Maybe instead of 10 five minute conversations, I have only a couple of conversations that last a little bit longer that allow me to connect and build genuine rapport with this person in a way that strengthens that relationship. And it's instead of, "Maybe I won't go home with quite as many business cards, but somebody has left knowing me so much better, and not even what I need, but how I can help them in a way that's going to be so valuable to this longterm relationship." As soon as you say "longterm," people get nervous.
Speaker 1:
This is true.
Speaker 2:
"Wait a minute. I thought this was a two hour networking event. What do you mean 'longterm'?"
Speaker 1:
"I've got to do this again?" I definitely agree with that, and I think anytime you can add meaning behind an activity and allow for other people to understand what that meaning really is, is a win. And one of the things I mentioned... We're at SHRM 19 right now, one of the things that I thought was so cool about one of my friends... His name is Jeff [inaudible 00:22:30]... He came to SHRM18 last year, and he built a bingo card, but he filled the slots with people he wanted to connect with. And so he was keeping track on this bingo card with... "Did I talk to this individual? Did I get something meaningful out of this conversation? Did I introduce myself and continue this conversation in a way that makes sense?" And that was how he was marking off his bingo card.
And he actually put together a bingo card for SHRM19 for other people to pick up and experience the conference in a similar way this year that he experienced last year. And I think if that's not somebody saying, "This is how you network, and this is how you can up your game when it comes to networking, I don't know what is, and I just find it so interesting and intriguing that it worked so well for him last year that he's now allowing other people to come along that journey with him at SHRM19. So, I just think that's so cool. And Jeff doesn't know that I'm calling him out on that. So, what's up Jeff? Thanks for being a pseudo guest on this episode here.
Speaker 2:
Kudos to Jeff. And if I remember correctly, he's part of the State Line Crew.
Speaker 1:
He is part of the State Line Crew.
Speaker 2:
So, kudos to Jeff and other members of the State Line Crew that really are building meaningful relationships along the way. But, to sort of reiterate a point I made earlier, you don't want to network the way that somebody else does necessarily. So, I'm glad that works for Jeff, and it probably is going to work for a number of other people who traditionally have felt that networking is more transactional, but it might not work for everybody.
Speaker 1:
Sure.
Speaker 2:
So, the goal is then take inspiration from Jeff and come up with your own approach that is going to feel so natural that you wonder why you hadn't always done it.
Speaker 1:
I like that. And I think some of the other things that people can take away from Jeff's approach too is that he saw what he wanted to do. He knew that he wanted to connect with the individuals that he wanted to connect with at SHRM18, and he made it happen, and tracked it in such a way that allowed for him to say, "I did what I came to do at this conference." And so I appreciate that it may not work for everybody, but to your point, that's inspirational-
Speaker 2:
That's huge.
Speaker 1:
... As it pertains to networking, I think. So, again, Jeff, shout out to you, and you can hate me later for bringing you into this conversation, but the last thing I think we had on the docket to talk about... And you've sort of alluded to it already... How difficult networking can be for individuals who are looking for a job. That's the only thing you think about almost the entire time you're at these networking events, and I think if we have any advice for individuals who are going to a networking event, specifically looking for their next job or their next opportunity, how can they start meaningful conversations with people without saying, straight up, I'm here looking for a job?
Speaker 2:
That's a great question, because as I said before, I think that need is always going to be forefront, but if you keep in mind that your goal in the networking event isn't to be served, but it is to serve others and have faith that, whatever your need happens to be, and for this case, employment for folks, that will be met, but it's going to be met through meaningful relationship. So, it's just reiterating, I think, what we've already discussed is being so singularly focused on being of service to other people that you crave it, that you wouldn't dare walk away from a networking event without understanding clearly how you can be of help to at least one or two people. If you leave and you've passed out all your business cards and you've connected a bunch, and you're looking at the cards that you've collected, and you have no recollection of what those conversations were or how you are supposed to assist these people, I don't know that you've done it right.
But, again, those people who are more focused on quantifying their experience will say, "Yeah, but I have 10 cards, and I can throw them into MailChimp, or whatever my database is, and that's all fine and good, and it may be that you've pulled [inaudible 00:26:27] people into your funnel in a way that's going to be valuable, but I would still question the value of those relationships. And it doesn't mean that you have to know what all their nieces and nephews are named, but something about them that you would consider to be meaningful, or more importantly, that they would consider to be meaningful.
Speaker 1:
And I think sometimes when people walk into networking events and they're searching for a job and they leave without a job offer, or without some sort of offer to continue the conversation about a job that might be available at an organization of somebody that they connected with, they see that networking event as a failure. And I think the reality is that there are very few people that leave networking events with job offers, and very few networking events that you can meaningfully put resumes in front of other people at. So, for those individuals who walk out thinking, "I failed at that networking event, because nobody wants to hire me," that's just not realistic, I don't think. I think it's unfair to themselves thinking that's failure.
Speaker 2:
A more reasonable expectation may be, "What is our next step? Did I have an ask?" And I'm not trying to imply that... Excuse me... That your needs shouldn't be met, or that you shouldn't have an ask in your back pocket. I would make sure you leave an event with a coffee date, or with a phone conversation that you have planned, or an agreement to follow up at some point soon and continue that conversation. So, then maybe part two is, "You know what I was so grateful for everything that you shared about your company, and I'm so impressed by your tenure there. I would love to tell you a little bit more about what I'm up to these days, and how I think I might be able to be of value to you and your organization based on the headaches that you articulated to me." Holy cow. It's just a different way to approach that conversation.
And it reinforces that instead of prioritizing your needs, what you prioritized was theirs, and their headaches, and even before you're considered for employment, you are bending over backwards to see how you can help them. And I just don't know that there are too many people taking that approach.
Speaker 1:
Well, and HR is such a small world that any connection that you make, any coffee date that you have, you're touching more than the... And not actually "touching," because I know this is an HR podcast... But you are reaching more than just the person across from you at that table, because they are going to go back after the interaction with you and say, "Who do I know that might have a job for this person," and I think if you are looking for work and you're entering a network event, it's so important not to lead with that as your conversation starter. To your point, ask them about the organization that they work with and why they like that organization. And then if they are telling you a compelling story, then say, "I happen to be looking for my next opportunity, and I think I meet the bill as it relates to your mission, vision," or whatever it is that individual shared with you, "And let's talk about that a little bit further, maybe over coffee," to your point.
Speaker 2:
You're not going to hire me because I need a job. You're going to hire me because you like me, and you're only going to like me if we've built some sort of genuine rapport. I feel very strongly about that. I can polish my resume, and I can polish my value statement, and those are such important pieces of the puzzle. You have to bring those to the conversation, because if you don't have those, then I don't think you have the confidence to know what to ask for, how to position yourself to begin with. But, again, people won't hire you because you've stated that you're unemployed and you need a job. They're going to hire you because they think, "I really like Erich. There's something about him even if I can't quantify what that is."
Speaker 1:
I agree, wholeheartedly. And I think there's so much behind what we can do with networking. It is a wide open field if we do it. So, with that, though, those are all the questions at all the topics that we had on the docket to discuss. So, is there anything else you want to share with our listeners as it relates to networking, or connecting with other people in a meaningful way?
Speaker 2:
I mean, so many things that I could share, but I was actually going to ask you a question. You can think about it maybe while I'm [inaudible 00:30:46]. I'm interested. When we talked before, do you identify as being introverted yourself? Did you say that to me in our first conversation?
Speaker 1:
I absolutely... People who know me think I'm an extrovert, but on all of the profile assessments that I have, I default to introvert 100%.
Speaker 2:
I'm interested if you want to share... And you don't have to, because I know I'm catching you off guard here... In the past couple weeks, what is an introverted moment you had? So, just think about that for a moment. Just what is just stereotypical, "Yeah, this is Callie being an introvert." So, for me, I think what I want to leave people with is... And I'm so sort of genuine in this way... I haven't figured this all out. I mean, even as you and I are sitting here talking, I'm nervous. I just want to let people know that within the last couple weeks, there was a time where I came home at the end of a long day, and the mail area of my condo is just beyond the passenger elevator, so I passed the elevator and I was getting my mail, and as I was getting it, I heard somebody else come in and hit the button, the call button on the elevator, to stand there to wait for it.
So, I had the option, because I had already gotten my mail, to go join the person in the elevator, and I chose to hide around the corner by my mailbox instead of ride the elevator up with this person that I didn't know. My point there, in laying out was maybe just a ridiculous story, is that I'm still figuring this out myself, and I think I've hit on a couple of things that seem to resonate with people, but the guy that's going to get up at SHRM19 and talk about how to network like an introvert was hiding around the corner, and wouldn't get on the elevator with somebody. So, I think people need to go easy on themselves, and wherever we are on this journey of getting to see networking as fruitful and enjoyable, just embrace that we may have a way to go, and we're likely not to figure it out on our own. So, listen to a podcast. Talk to a colleague. Put your trust in somebody, and let the world know that, on occasion, you hide around the corner. I think that's okay.
Speaker 1:
So, I feel like I hide around the corner almost every day of my life, but the thing that really comes to mind when you asked me that question... And I've got to be honest with you. I've been thinking about it now ever since you asked me that question, but at the beginning of this conversation, I said, "We're at SHRM19, and there's over 20,000 people here, and it can be scary for people." I wasn't saying that because somebody else told me that it's scary for them. I was saying it because it scares me to pieces that there are going to be 20,000 people that I have the potential of networking and meeting with. And frankly, I invited people to seek me out and have Honest HR live conversations at SHRM19, and that gives me anxiety, because it's going to put me back on my heels, but I'm so excited about it, because this podcast gets people excited. And if I can give people something to get excited about, I'm going to have to lean into it whether it makes me uncomfortable or not.
It's helped me grow as a person and as a presenter and as a professional all around. But it is still scary, and it is still something that gives me anxiety, but I lean into it, because I think it's important.
Speaker 2:
Anything worthwhile that's going to happen to you in life is going to happen just outside of the edge of your comfort zone. I really believe that, and whatever you can do to push yourself beyond that limitation on occasion, I think, is only going to be beneficial.
Speaker 1:
I appreciate that, and I agree wholeheartedly. So, with that, Erich, I appreciate you coming back. I mean, let's be honest. We'll probably have you back around for-
Speaker 2:
I would love it.
Speaker 1:
... Time three at some point.
Speaker 2:
I have so much more to talk about-
Speaker 1:
I know.
Speaker 2:
... And ask you about too.
Speaker 1:
I know, but if our listeners want to reach out and connect, either about the first episode you were on in Season One or this episode here, how can they connect and reach out?
Speaker 2:
harmonyinsights.com is my company. Anybody who is interested in learning more about the HRHotSeat Mastermind Community can do so at hrhotseat.com. I'm at Erich, E-R-I-C-H, at harmonyinsights.com. I have conversations so regularly about these various things with HR professionals, non HR pros, people who are looking to do meaningful work and make meaningful connections with other people. So, hopefully you hear it in my voice that this is something I'm very passionate about.
Speaker 1:
And if you're reaching out to Erich on LinkedIn, make sure that you personalize it and heard him on the Honest HR Podcast, because I think that'll be a really great way to start the conversation right.
Speaker 2:
There we go, and honestly, the biggest compliment that you could pay me is to tell other people about this conversation, and share the Honest HR Podcast with other folks as well. That's how we get valuable information like this in front of others, and really come together as a community.
Speaker 1:
I appreciate that. And for me, again, this is call Zipple. I'm the host of Honest HR. You can reach out to me on Twitter at shrmcalliez on Instagram at shrmcalliez. I'm also on LinkedIn at shrmcalliezipple. If you want to interact with the podcast, as always, we've got the shrm.org/honesthr website. We've got topic suggestion and guest suggestion forms on there. So, we'd love to hear from you. Obviously, interact with us on our social posts as we get this in front of other people and continue the networking from here. So, thanks again, Erich, for coming out. Thanks for all of our listeners, and for those who I network with or met at SHRM19, I appreciate all of you at that big conference, making it a small, intimate gathering for me. So, thanks again, and we will be back again next week with another episode of Honest HR.
Speaker 3:
This is the final episode of this mini series. If you haven't already done so, please go back and listen to part one of this mini series featuring John Thurmond and Wendy Daley as they discussed authenticity in the workplace. Once you've listened to all parts of this mini series, you can either enter the SHRM professional development, or PDC code, into your SHRM recertification profile. The PDC code you will need is 19-AF4KY. Again, that code is 19-alpha, foxtrot, four, kilo, Yankee. The start date for this PDC code is July 30th, 2019. Thanks for being SHRM certified, and as always, thanks for listening to our Honest HR Podcast.