ometimes you feel like you have to talk to everyone at a networking event.
Say hello to everyone. Join every conversation. Meet as many people as possible.
But honestly, almost everyone finds that exhausting.
So today, I simply had two really good, in-depth conversations.
Even though it probably looked like I had seen and spoken to everyone.
And that’s completely fine.
Because you don’t build relationships through two minutes of small talk.
You build them by staying in a conversation a little longer. Asking questions. Actually listening. And being genuinely curious about the person behind the business card.
That’s when you hear the best stories.
About entrepreneurship.
Choices.
Challenges.
Ambitions.
Family.
Kids.
Things you would probably never discover during a quick introduction.
That’s why networking, for me, is becoming less about how many people I meet and more about how well I actually get to know someone.
A huge thank you to everyone for the interesting connections and conversations today.
And of course, thank you to Merlin Melles, fCN – Founders Carbon Network, the Prince of Orange, and mother-daughter duo Petra Ruijs and Boudie Keijzer for bringing so many wonderful people together.
So next time you’re at a networking event, maybe don’t try to talk to everyone.
Two good conversations can be far more valuable than twenty business cards.
How do you approach networking events: try to meet as many people as possible, or focus on a few meaningful conversations?
