People are looking for permission to get vulnerable. We go through hours of networking events and leave without any great connections. But are we opening the door for meaning? Are we putting ourselves out there in a way that encourages a genuine conversation?
Without any prompting, people paint the rosy picture: “This is what my organization does and this is what my role is.”
A conversation about a false ideal is a great way to start off, but it’s not the basis for a meaningful connection. To take the next step, you need to get vulnerable. Someone needs to talk openly about where they’re stuck.
Once stuck-ness can be expressed, people can help and you can exchange valuable assistance with each other. Without vulnerability, none of that is possible. It’s not normal to bring up your biggest business challenges over drinks, but it turns out it might be the best thing to do.
Get vulnerable. Give others the permission to do it, too. Without sharing honest struggles, you’ll never dive deeper. Small-talk isn’t evil unless you let it be. Transform the conversation into something meaningful.