Networking 101 for Introverts with Pat Hedley

Mastering Midlife Podcast

Pat Hedley is an investor, advisor, and the Founder and CEO of The Path Ahead, where she identifies and invests in high-growth companies. She is also the author of the book, Meet 100 People, where she shares her insights on proactively meeting people. Drawing from the lessons she learned from the thousands of people she has met and interacted with over her career, Pat helps people cultivate their network by providing practical advice and actionable insight. Pat regularly speaks to college students, alumni groups, and corporations and has given a TEDx Talk at Dartmouth College in 2018.

Pat joins me today to discuss the life-changing impact networking can have. She explains the biggest fears that deter people from networking and shares her advice on how introverts can go out and meet new people. She reveals why she wrote her book and the advice she wishes she had received early in her career. She also highlights why it’s important to be gracious with everyone we meet in our career and underscores the value of connecting on a human level in the time of COVID-19.

“People fear networking because they fear they have nothing to give. But if you listen well and think about the people you interact with, you can find ways to be helpful to them.” - Pat Hedley

Today on Mastering Midlife:

• Why Pat wrote her book and why she cares about people meeting each other
• Becoming a journalist of life and the tremendous learning opportunities we get whenever we meet new people
• The importance of connecting on a human level and how to network virtually in the era of COVID-19
• The value of creating a personal brand, regardless of profession or career
• Overcoming the biggest fears and challenges people face when networking
• Networking 101 for introverts and shy people
• The power of listening well and the role of researching the person you’re meeting
• What “blank sheet of paper” opportunities are and the advantages of networking with people outside your organization
• Saying and receiving the gracious “no”
• How to reach out and reconnect with your network from the past
• Treasure hunting for wisdom and the fastest ways to grow your network

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi
• Meet 100 People | Pat Hedley on TEDxDartmouth

Related Content:

• Becoming a Better Leader Through Feedback with Meredith Bell

Connect with Pat Hedley:

• Meet 100 People
• Book: Meet 100 People: A How-To Guide to the Career and Life Edge Everyone’s Missing
• Meet 100 People on Instagram
• Meet 100 People on Facebook
• Meet 100 People on Twitter
• The Path Ahead on LinkedIn
• Pat Hedley on LinkedIn
• Email: [e-mail]

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