CM 179: Marissa King On Feeling Good About Networking

For most of us, networking is a topic that brings up a lot of strong feelings. And most of those feelings aren't all that positive.

Ultimately, we know we should network. But just thinking about it can make us uncomfortable. In fact, research shows that many of us associate networking with something dirty. On top of that, we feel guilty for not devoting more time to it.

That's why I wanted to interview Marissa King. Author of the book, Social Chemistry: Decoding the Elements of Human Connection, Marissa is Professor of Organizational Behavior at Yale School of Management and an expert on social networks.

Marissa's take on networking is refreshing because she emphasizes the relational aspect. She also provides tools for gauging how we network, so that we can easily see how well our approach is working.

Her discussion of networking and her strategies for how to reframe it more positively help us to walk away without feeling icky. At the same time, her tips inspire us to tend to our professional network the way we would our personal one.

If you're looking for a fresh take on networking, I think you'll enjoy hearing what Marissa has to say. 

Episode Links

Shout-out to Heather Cox Richardson for her Letters from an American

Professional Networking Makes People Feel Dirty by Carmen Nobel

Do People Mix at Mixers? by Paul Ingram and Michael W. Morris

Marissa King's site for assessing your networking approach as convener, broker, or expansionist

Self-monitoring

How to Build a Better Social Network and the work of Ronald Burt

Why Do People Gossip? by Sophia Gottfried and the work of Robin Dunbar

Yo-Yo Ma and Silkroad

Homophily

Heidi Roizen

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