Krista: I hate sharing appetizers. I just do … I said it. Eating in public gives me so much anxiety.
Jillian: Not me.
Krista: Well, lucky you.
Krista: Just like eating in public, networking can be a very stressful thing. For some, it comes natural. I mean, I don't understand how the two go hand in hand. You're meeting new people. You're representing your company. Who wants to do that while holding cheese on a stick?
Jillian: Apps aren't for everybody, but networking really should be. Today, we're going to look at why it's so important, and how to succeed if you have social anxiety.
Krista: You know why polar bears break the ice?
Jillian: Why?
Krista: Because they're heavy.
Jillian: No. No, that's not right. But that's a great segway to our first tip. The toughest part about these events is starting a conversation, and the best way to break the ice is to dive right in head first. Sure, that's easy for us to say. But just remember, the nervousness you're feeling is universal. And with repetition, comes confidence. Every time you say "Hi" it gets easier.
Krista: If you really want to jumpstart your confidence beforehand, check out Noah Kagan, the founder of SumoMe. He invented the Stranger Challenge to help people overcome their social anxiety. The challenge is built of several tests, including: asking for 10 percent off your coffee for no reason at all, sitting in the wrong seat on a plane on purpose, and taking a picture with a complete stranger.
Jillian: Kagan swears if you try any of these, especially the Coffee Challenge, you will find something about yourself that surprises you.
Krista: To prove its effectiveness, we sent our field correspondent to test Noah's theory.
Frank: So I got my little hidden microphone. Hopefully you can hear me okay. We're going to do the Coffee Challenge. I'm going to go.
Cashier: How can I help you?
Frank: I will have a large, one cream, one sugar, please. And I would like a 10 percent discount.
Cashier: No.
Frank: What do you mean, “No?”
Cashier: You think I'm going to risk my job by giving some loser a discount?
Frank: I'm not a loser. I have a really good job.
Cashier: Then why are you asking me for a discount on a 2 dollar coffee?
Frank: It's called the Coffee Challenge. It's supposed to help build confidence in social situations.
Cashier: Oh, my God. Jeff. Jeff, you got to hear this. Check out this middle-aged loser. He needs help building confidence.
Frank: So does that mean I get the discount?
Krista: I'm not sure that's what Noah intended, but he'll be okay. Right?
Jillian: Yeah. I think so.
Krista: So once you've started the conversation, what the hell do you talk about? You know that eating this is over, right? And where did you even get a donut?
Jillian: I don't know. Someone brought them in.
Krista: I guess, I'll just carry the episode. So, what the hell do you talk about? Well, Krista, the key is to provide value to the conversation, which doesn't mean spouting industry facts or proving how smart you are. Value can come from shared interests or just a positive, friendly conversation. Now is not the time for a hard-sell. It's fine to talk about the event you're attending.
Jillian: So what did you guys do last night?
Grace: Don't laugh, but we saw Scott Disick.
Krista: What the expectations are.
Jillian: Oh, must have been fun.
Krista: Or what you thought of the speaker.
Grace: He was amazing, but shorter in person.
Krista: Grace, we're filming. Well, all right. As I was saying … Now what?
Jillian: She does not like you.
Krista: Are we done?
Jillian: Just about. But before we go, I think it's really important to talk about why networking exists if everyone hates it so much. It's because it's essential to progressing your career. Sure, building relationships is the best way to find another job, but it's all about collaborative partnerships outside of your own four walls. Talking to people working through the same issues and experiencing the same pitfalls is invaluable. But let's be honest, it's much easier to have a frank conversation after a cocktail or two than in side linked in messenger.
Frank: Hey.
Jillian: Hey.
Frank: Heard my name. Want a Slim Jim?
Jillian: Sure.
Frank: It's vegan.
Jillian: Nice.
Frank: It's not really vegan.
Krista: Well, that about wraps it up. Thanks for watching. And as always, keep it casual. I'm out of here.
Jillian: Sit?
Episode 2 - How to Overcome Your Fear of Networking
If you've ever eaten cheese on a stick, you've been to a networking event. But if you're like us, you're socially inept. Which means eating cheese on a stick can be pretty distressing.
We're not actually socially inept. And none of us have trouble eating cheese. We're just trying to seem relatable. But we're also here to start a conversation. Conveniently, that's the primary objective of networking.
It's a way to progress your career. It's also a way to build relationships that facilitate collaboration. Most relevant to this synopsis, however: It's the topic for Episode 2 of Casual Fridays.
You should know the drill by now.