About this item
The former Google executive, editorial director of Twitter and self-described introvert offers networking advice for anyone who has ever cancelled a coffee date due to social anxiety - about how to nurture a vibrant circle of reliable contacts without leaving your comfort zone.Networking has garnered a reputation as a sort of necessary evil in the modern business world. Some do relish the opportunity to boldly work the room, introduce themselves to strangers, and find common career ground - but for many others, the experience is often awkward, or even terrifying. The common networking advice for introverts are variations on the theme of overcoming or "fixing" their quiet tendencies. But Karen Wickre is a self-described introvert who has worked in Silicon Valley for 30 years. She shows you to embrace your true nature to create sustainable connections that can be called upon for you to get - and give - career assistance, advice, introductions, and lasting connections. Karen's "embrace your quiet side" approach is for anyone who finds themselves shying away from traditional networking activities, or for those who would rather be curled up with a good book on a Friday night than out at a party. For example, if you're anxious about that big professional mixer full of people you don't know, she advises you to consider skipping it (many of these are not productive) , and instead set up an intimate, one-on-one coffee date. She shows how to truly make the most out of social media to sustain what she calls "the loose touch habit" to build your own brain trust to last a lifetime. With compelling arguments and creative strategies, this new way to network is perfect not only for introverts, but for anyone who wants for a less conventional approach to get ahead in today's job market.
About the Author
A long-time communicator and connector, Karen has spent 30 years in Silicon Valley as an editor and collaborator, including ~15 years on staff at Google and at Twitter. Her book "Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert's Guide to Connections That Count" reflects her lifelong interest in making meaningful connections, and building a brain trust for life. An avid media consumer, Karen also serves on the boards of several organizations supporting journalism and news literacy, including the JSKnight Fellows Program at Stanford University and the News Literacy Project. See also dogs, art, nonfiction, documentaries, and urban walks.