Networking and social distancing: maintaining a healthy network even at a distance

Social distancing doesn’t stop networking, and in fact amplifies its human aspect. Findings and tips.

Networking has never been more important than in times of crisis and distancing. In the absence of face-to-face events, a part of the exercise closes, without sounding the death knell. On the contrary, networking has profoundly human dimensions that distance helps to reveal. After mentoring during a pandemic, we spoke to two experts, Boyana Stefanova and Pascal Beauchesne, to try and define what networking is, what distance implies, and to formulate a few tips.

What is networking? Curiosity and sharing

We often talk about the importance of networking without defining its exact nature. In the professional world in particular, networking is sometimes evoked in utilitarian or quantitative terms – how many people you know and who you know – or is equated with a game of appearances – how to put yourself forward in front of potential new connections. Yet it’s an entity with multiple other dimensions.

“You’re not just part of a network, you participate in it and contribute to it”, says Boyana Stefanova, who has been involved in the entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem for several years.

To network optimally, it’s important to understand that a network isn’t just a list of contacts tucked away in a drawer and exposed to the light when needed. A healthy network is an organic, human entity of individuals connected by shared values, interests and a spirit of mutual support. A network is actively built and maintained through curiosity and sharing.

When you’re involved in a network, you need to keep your finger on the pulse. Keep abreast of what’s going on in your field of interest, check in with your contacts and share information. The more we get involved, the more we understand the issues and existing positions, the more relevant our contributions become, and the more opportunities appear for others and ourselves. We become an active element that encourages and amplifies circulation, for example by relaying important news for the field, by sharing calls for contributions with those of our contacts who might be concerned, by referring a contact we know to be looking for a job to a recruiter we know, and so on.

To make your first connections, the rules are the same as for maintaining them: curiosity and openness are key.

Doing one’s homework is essential; learning about current events and the key players in a field helps to clarify one’s own objectives and facilitate interactions. Knowing your own needs, your own history, allows you to set them out transparently and build long-term relationships while respecting each other’s interests.

Just as it’s important to take the pulse of your existing network, it’s essential to take an active interest in the new people you meet. This can be done by asking simple, open-ended questions, such as “What are your current challenges, your issues?”, to encourage them to talk about their story. “Networking is the art of elevating the person in front of us to forge a bond of trust,” tells us Pascal Beauchesne, advisor to TechnoMontréal, an organization whose mission is to mobilize the technology ecosystem in Montreal.

Distance = death of the network?

Networking is based on curiosity, mutual aid and communication. Above all, a network is made up of social ties. Face-to-face contact plays a crucial role in the formation of connections, but its reduction or absence in times of distance in no way means the death of the network. Remote communication tools are the perfect way to put these essential values into practice.

According to Pascal, the crisis in no way changes the essence of human networking, but it can bring about transformations, such as an increased emphasis on shared values and moral support.

“People will thus be increasingly driven to network on the basis of who they are, rather than what they want to appear to be.” – Pascal Beauchesne

Since the start of the pandemic, the need for social interaction is stronger than ever, and this is reflected in online exchanges within a network. “Conversations are deeper,” says Boyana.

Why not create a virtual sharing circle?

Pascal also stresses the importance of forming virtual sharing circles, and gives as an example the thematic circle he himself leads around deceleration. This virtual circle brings together a small group of people – no more than fifteen or so – in a meeting where everyone can talk about their feelings and contribute to the conversation. Each session begins with questions about participants’ motivations and state of mind to establish a climate of trust and listening, transforming the meeting into a safe space. This creates bonds that go beyond the professional, providing essential moral support for participants and facilitating contacts outside the event.

Such circles possess the qualities that make for a good online social event: they’re tightly-knit, thematic and encourage everyone to have their say. So everyone can open up without being intimidated by too many staring faces, and without getting lost in the blur of undirected conversation. They can be used to meet new people, maintain team cohesion or catch up on news.

A network is an organic entity made up of people who bring it to life by sharing, connecting and contributing. It’s a question of going beyond both a utilitarian vision of the network (where connections are sought only when necessary) and a purely social vision (where links are built without asking). Maintaining a human and lively vision of networking facilitates the exchange of services and mutual assistance between all members, even beyond the professional dimension. Social distancing does not affect the fundamental values of human networking – it prompts us to rethink certain methods, but also paves the way for new opportunities. The coming months are likely to see transformations in the conception and practice of networking. Social networks and networking cells offer opportunities for development that transcend borders, and open new doors for those who don’t find what they’re looking for in face-to-face networking.

By way of summary, we’ve put together a few tips for networking on the right foot.

1. Know yourself, find your networking style and stick to it
Good networkers are often imagined as ultra-social extroverts, flitting from one contact to the next. While developing interpersonal, listening and communication skills is extremely useful, introverts and shy people are by no means excluded from the exercise. While some people are at ease at large events, others prefer more private contacts, with just one person at a time. Still others prefer expert exchanges to general conversation. The diversification of networking tools offers everyone the chance to flourish.

2. Taking the time to keep abreast of issues in your network and circulating information
Social networks such as LinkedIn and Facebook, with their news feeds, make it easy to keep up to date. By understanding what’s at stake in your network, you can adjust and refine your contributions and become a booster: an element that amplifies opportunities for your peers. What are the issues in the field? What are our contacts’ priorities? What are the latest developments? These are just some of the avenues we can use to determine which initiatives to support, what to share and with whom.

3. Giving news and sharing experience
Naturally, sharing your own news helps others to engage in the monitoring exercise. Sometimes, even before entering the professional arena, simply talking about personal experience can be a source of inspiration and open the door to great discussions.

4. Get involved in common interest or value groups
For those who can, getting involved in a board of directors can be an excellent opportunity to develop strong ties with peers who share a common vision. That said, any interest group will do: professional groups, watch groups, exchange or advice groups in your field or elsewhere, and even outside the professional world. Networking is everywhere! Hobbies, clubs, cultural activities are all fertile circles for encounters. In times of distance, forums, virtual meet-ups, webinars and discussion groups facilitate exchanges.

5. Solicit connectors – people with multiple contacts, or become one yourself
In every network and every field, there are well-connected people who are happy to “match” their contacts when appropriate. Identifying them and asking their advice can open the door to new, tailor-made encounters. LinkedIn also allows you to view your contacts’ contacts, which can help you draw up a list of people to write to.

6. Don’t hesitate to approach people who interest you
By getting to know a particular field, getting involved in common interest groups or taking part in virtual events, we quickly spot people whose projects, career paths and contributions interest us. Contacting these people can be enriching, especially if you have something to contribute yourself.

7. Be clear about your objectives and “do your homework” before approaching your network or a new person.
Approaching new people is important, but so is knowing your own objectives. It’s not necessarily necessary to have a favor to ask when approaching someone; a request for information, curiosity about the person’s role or activities are enough, as long as you’re able to clearly formulate why you want to contact that particular person and you’ve done enough research to avoid asking a generic question that Google could easily answer.

8. Being direct is also important.
It may seem impolite to state your intentions on first contact – especially for women who are often taught not to be too assertive – but it’s actually a mark of respect. Don’t be shy! By being clear about your objectives and motivations, you can help your interviewer avoid wasting his or her time. As Simon Sinek (https://lifehacker.com/to-get-what-you-want-ask-for-it-first-and-save-the-ple-5906427) notes, politeness placed before a request can appear more hypocritical than when placed behind it.

9. Taking an interest in others, encouraging them to talk about their realities
Beyond exchanging professional opportunities, maintaining a network also means taking care of the people who make it up. To create a climate of trust, you can start by asking the person about his or her issues and history.

10. Remain curious and diversify your fields of interest
Taking an interest in fields of expertise other than your own helps to open your mind and diversify your network. You can start with fields related to your own, then expand. Technology can lead to finance, medicine, ecology, infinity and beyond.

11. Set regular networking goals
Whether you do it once a week, several times a week or a few times a month, the important thing is to check in with your network and keep abreast of its issues on a regular basis. Dedicating a fixed schedule to networking activities helps to establish a solid, efficient routine.

Turn the conditions created by distancing to your advantage by transcending geographical limits and optimizing your schedule.
Distancing means fewer face-to-face meetings, but greater flexibility in terms of time and space. You can network according to customized schedules, with people located far beyond your geographical area, all without tiring travel.