Networking in a Whole New Light

 Don't Look at Networking as Networking

I know that many lawyers are turned off, if not terrified by the concept of networking. The idea of walking into a room full of strangers and striking up a conversation is truly worse than a root canal. I can't say that I'm overly comfortable with networking myself.

However, I found an article entitled "Bad Networking Ain't Networking" by John Snyder on Attorney at Work to be quite helpful. When Synder left BigLaw for a solo practice, he was told "you've got to network." His response to that in the article raises two excellent points:

• Don't go to networking events to get business. Rather look at it as opportunities to make new friends; and
• Think of ways to help those you meet.

He sums it up beautifully: "So here is how I would amend that 'you gotta network' edict. It's not about networking - it's about being a friendly, generous and helpful person...(and those are) the qualities that clients or potential referral sources seek in a lawyer."

So, attend networking events with the idea of making friends, not networking.  The results may surprise you.

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