Make meaningful connections. What does this mean?
The simple answer: make human connections. I have read books on building professional networks and I have found that many suggested a very robotic way of connecting. The books often suggest being very rigid and direct. However, people enjoy conversations that are not always related to their work or profession. Even in the most professional settings, I have found ways to crack a joke or to get a person’s perspective on a more relaxed topic. This is important because it helps you to connect to the more human parts of the person and go beyond their title.
Now, boundaries are still important. I am not advising that you go asking about personal family matters. Rather, I would suggest striking up a conversation about a more general topic. I have found that most people can relate to a topic about sport, fitness, music or the arts. These are what I call ‘safe topics’ because they are easy to speak about and share opinions around. Ensure that you are knowledgeable and passionate about any topic that you choose, because if you are not, your conversation will seem disingenuous.
If you want to make a connection, you must work on your conversation skills. I often teach sessions on networking and connecting, that go much more in depth. Choosing the conversation is only the first step in networking. There are many more elements that help you to form a strong human connection. You must ask the right questions to keep your conversations flowing and learn how to listen attentively. Always listen more than you speak. Additionally, you have to learn the best ways to follow up on the connections that you have established. All these skills are strengthened, once you practice. Speak and connect with as many people as you can today and remember every connection is important. It does not matter if it is the security guard or the CEO, they all have something unique to offer. Happy connecting!
Published by Darrion “Theatrics” Narine
Darrion M. Narine was born in Trinidad and Tobago but considers himself to be a global citizen. He is a social development specialist and a performing artiste. He is currently the programme manager of the Archdiocese’s Ministry for Migrants, working alongside UN agencies and grassroots organizations in Trinidad and Tobago to cater towards the educational, psychosocial, health and physiological needs of over 30,000 migrants and refugees.
Darrion was also the chair of the CHOGM CYF taskforce responsible for executing the Commonwealth Youth Forum in Kigali, Rwanda in June 2022. He managed a 21-member taskforce made up of people from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The taskforce was responsible for the planning, programme development and execution of the CHOGM CYF 2022 which hosted over 500 delegate from across the globe. His work in these fields have allowed him to develop his resource mobilization skills since he has been able to raise additional money for the support of several projects. which he manages.
Additionally, Darrion was the former Vice Chairperson for Inclusion and Engagement on the Commonwealth Youth Council, which serves 1.2 billion youth across the globe. His work focused on youth development, global socio-economic development and global social policy development. During his tenure he was able to launch and co-partner on several programmes. He co-founded the RACE campaign which allowed for healthy conversations around race and race relations. He was also a key founding director of the Youth Voice Matters campaign which promoted the increase in youth political participation. He holds a BSc in Psychology (Special) with a minor in Theatre Arts and a MA in Cultural Studies from the University of the West Indies (U.W.I). He is the former President of the U.W.I Guild of Students 2018/19, where he represented the students at all major university meetings and external advocacy movements and is a National Youth Award recipient for Leadership from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. In addition to this, he was a board member on the Global Coalition for Youth Employment (under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and National Service) and has served as a board member on the Chancellor’s Commission on Governance for the University of the West Indies reviewing the University’s governance structures and making recommendations for overall improvement of its systems and operations.
Darrion is also a cultural advocate, poet , writer and performer. He has taught techniques in performance, public speaking drama and networking to hundreds of young people across Trinidad and Tobago. He has also done skills development training at various schools across the country and region. Furthermore, he is an actor with DCShell Theatre, a singer, a poet and a writer. He has a collection of music and poetry and has performed across the globe. He believes strongly that education is liberation, and the key to a progressive population.
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