Networking Tips for Introverted Data Analysts

How could I build a career if I couldn't even handle a "simple" networking event? Twenty years later, I'm CHRO. And I still hate networking events. But I cracked the code. Traditional networking assumes collecting 50 business cards equals success. For introverts? One deep conversation beats 50 shallow hellos. Quality over quantity isn't just our preference. It's our superpower. So I built my own system. ——————————————— → The 100-Point Energy Budget Every event, you start with 100 energy points: • Random small talk: -15 • Meaningful conversation: -5 • Pretending to laugh at bad jokes: -20 • Finding a fellow introvert: +10 • Strategic "email break": +5 Hit 20 points? Leave. That's not quitting. It's resource management. ——————————————— → The 3-Deep Rule While extroverts collect 50 cards, I build 3 real connections. They get names. I get allies. They get LinkedIn adds. I get coffee meetings. They get forgotten. I get remembered. One meaningful conversation > 50 forgettable handshakes. Tell people you're "gathering insights for research." Now it's an interview, not small talk. Arrive 15 minutes early. Quieter room, better conversations. ——————————————— → The Opener That Works "I'm testing a theory that admitting you're an introvert at networking events creates better connections. You're participant seven." People lean in. They want in on your experiment. Ask what matters: "What problem are you tackling right now?" "If you weren't here, what would you rather be doing?" ——————————————— → The Lighthouse Strategy Don't circulate. Plant yourself somewhere visible. Let people come to you. Or volunteer at check-in for 30 minutes. Meet everyone, defined role, then disappear. Set 45-minute alarms. Energy check. Below 5? Bathroom break. ——————————————— → Permission Granted You can officially: • Leave after 52 minutes • Eat lunch alone at conferences • Say "I need to recharge" • Build your network through LinkedIn • Skip events that don't serve you My biggest deals came from 1-on-1 coffees, not cocktail parties. My best hires came from deep conversations, not speed networking. ——————————————— → The Truth Successful introverted executives didn't learn to act like extroverts. They learned to network like strategists. My record? 12-minute holiday party appearance. Two conversations. Both mattered. Still got promoted. Once had my assistant call with an "urgent client matter" 45 minutes into a dinner. The client was my cat. Zero regrets. Your quiet nature isn't a bug — it's an executive feature. Your energy management isn't high maintenance — it's self-leadership. The revolution isn't about becoming louder. It's about quiet leaders writing the rules. From a comfortable distance. Through screens or deep connection. Like the evolved professionals we are. ♻️ Share to save an introvert from networking hell 📩 Get my Networking Energy Toolkit → https://lnkd.in/dfhfHWe5

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮, I know the word that drains you the most: 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴! Big events. Endless small talk. Working the room. For many of us, it feels exhausting, even unnatural. But here’s the thing: In data careers, relationships matter as much as technical skills. The good news? You don’t need to change who you are. You don’t need to become the loudest person in the room. You just need to play to your strengths: One-on-one coffee chats → deeper, more meaningful connections. Smaller, focused communities → quality over quantity. Listening more than speaking → people value being truly heard. Sharing your knowledge through writing → content connects without draining your energy. Preparing a few project stories or industry trends → reduces pressure when conversations start. Scheduling recharge breaks at conferences → energy management is a strategy. Introverts, your quiet approach isn’t a weakness. It’s a superpower for building authentic relationships. Do it your way. Do it in a way that feels sustainable and true to you. ♻ Repost to remind introverts they don’t have to “fake extroversion” to grow in data. 🔔 Follow Leon Gordon for insights on Data, AI, and thriving in your career.

Following my last post on networking, a common question came up: “How do you actually do it, especially as an introvert?” I used to find large rooms daunting. That changed when I stopped trying to be an extrovert and started leaning into my natural strengths. As introverts, we tend to be thoughtful, detail-oriented, and good listeners. Those are exactly the traits that make networking effective, just in a different way. Something I learned from direct marketing stayed with me: The power of multiple contacts. While others try to “work the room,” you can win by what you do before and after the event. I once read that a CEO landed his role at a major hotel brand because he had stayed in touch with the Chairman over the years. When the opportunity came, he wasn’t just a name on a resume, he was the first person they thought of. Here’s what has worked for me: Before the event Send a brief note to someone you know will be there. It turns a cold start into a continuation. At the event Listen more than you talk. Look for common ground - where you’re from, a shared interest like golf or a favorite team, or a business challenge you both understand. Commonality draws people closer. It creates an immediate sense of connection. And that’s what makes any follow-up feel natural, not forced. Right after Follow up within 24 hours. Reference something specific from your conversation. That’s what makes it stick. Then comes the real work Stay in touch, with a reason. Share an article, congratulate them on a win, or send a quick note over holidays. Small touches, over time, consistently. Networking isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about being the most consistent after the event. You don’t need to change who you are. You just need to lean into the strengths you already have. I’m curious: What’s one small way you’ve stayed in touch that made a lasting impression? #Leadership #Networking #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Introverts

Networking is the best way to land a job - especially in this market. But imagine what it's like for an introvert. It’s not easy for any of us to step out of our comfort zones. But it's even harder when one of your worst fears is talking to other people. Good news! You don’t need to be loud to build powerful relationships. You just need a strategy that works for you. Here’s how introverts can network effectively without burning out: 1️⃣ Choose consistency over volume. You don’t need to reach out to 100 people. Start with 3–5 strong contacts and nurture those relationships weekly. One meaningful message > 10 copy-paste DMs. 2️⃣ Comment with depth, not noise. Find creators or leaders you respect. Leave thoughtful comments that add real insight or ask a follow-up question. People notice the ones who actually read the post. 3️⃣ Reconnect with people who already trust you. Old teammates, mentors, or classmates. Message: “Hey, I’ve been reflecting on some of the best teams I’ve worked with, and thought of you. Hope you’re well.” No ask. Just connection. 4️⃣ Let your content start the conversation. Share a short post about something you’re learning, solving, or curious about. No need to go viral. One good post can start 3 solid conversations. 5️⃣ Create a low-pressure routine. Set aside 15 minutes, 3x/week. Engage with 1 post. Message 1 person. Follow up with 1 old contact. That’s it. No burnout, no overwhelm. If you’re introverted, your edge is thoughtfulness. You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need to be present. Bring your purpose and the right people will feel it. ♻️ Share this post with an introvert you know so they can land their next role.

Being an introvert in college made me think I'd never build a strong network. Yet today, almost every big opportunity I’ve got came through it. Here are 5 simple strategies that helped me! 📌Stop trying to be someone else. Instead of forcing small talk, I started asking genuine questions about people's work and actually listening to their answers. Turns out, most people love talking about their passion projects when someone genuinely cares. 📌Use your preparation superpower. As introverts, we naturally research and prepare. I started looking up attendees beforehand, identifying 2-3 people I actually wanted to meet, and having real questions ready about their work or company. 📌Quality over quantity. While others collected 20 business cards, I focused on having 2-3 meaningful conversations. Those deeper connections led to actual opportunities, not just LinkedIn connections. 📌Follow-up is your secret weapon. Introverts excel at thoughtful, written communication. A personalised follow-up email referencing something specific from our conversation always stood out. 📌LinkedIn is your playground. Networking isn't just about events. I started reaching out to professionals whose work genuinely interested me, not asking for jobs but sharing insights about their recent posts or asking thoughtful questions about industry trends. Most people appreciate genuine curiosity. 📌Leverage your listening skills. In group conversations, I became the person who asked follow-up questions and remembered details others missed. People started seeking me out because I made them feel heard. The breakthrough moment came when a senior manager told me after an event, "You ask the best questions. Most students just talk about themselves." The genuine connections I built through this approach helped me land my first internship, find my co-founder, connect with early clients, and unlock countless other opportunities I never could have imagined.💛 All because I stopped trying to network like an extrovert and started leveraging my introvert strengths instead. What's your biggest challenge as an introvert? 💬

I was always a do-er. Never one for small talk. A happy introvert when left alone to juice up her think-power could whip up a storm. This was never a problem till I became the go-to for every account on fire and clients started asking for me by name to be on their accounts. Being a good do-er pushed me up the ladder. And you know what else comes with being pushed up the ladder? Small talk. Networking. Smiles. Ugghfffffffffff ! 🫨 🤒 😒 𝐒𝐨 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭. I timed my arrival at the meetings 10 seconds after my senior. 😏 My cab often got lost in the bylanes of the city to make this happen. 😜 I used to carry cue cards. 😬 I reserved my comments only for work. 🤓 I would hide in the crowd to avoid eye contact. 😶🌫️ My hands and mouth were always occupied with a cup of tea or cookies. 😊 𝐌𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫. 😎 She took the client teams into confidence. 😐 She started timing her arrival at meetings five mins after me. 😝 She gave me an ultimatum of making a genuine connect without being creepy, with atleast one of the team members on the brand side. 🤨 She also equated my performance appraisal with the number of non-work related lines I spoke in every meeting. 🤕 She pushed me to challenge myself to evolve. Little by little. Conversation by conversation. In #PR this was also assumed to be second nature but I had to build that muscle. Today I network with ease. I am usually the first one to say hello, facilitating introductions & pulling people together in the room. I know networking is tough. For #introverts it is tougher. After 100s of wasted hours on networking, after which I would literally shut down, l now have these 𝟕 #networking rules that I share with all teams ⬇️ 1️⃣ Mindfulness is essential in networking. Go for meets that have topics or a gathering of a profession that really excites you and you want to know more about. 2️⃣ Ask the organizers for a list of attendees in advance and identify 3-4 people that you really want to meet. Research them and have a few questions ready that you want to ask them about their work / career. 3️⃣ While you do the above with the intensity of an introvert, communicate this without being stalk-ish or creepy. 4️⃣ Ask questions that will genuinely excite the person in front and pay attention to the answer. Listen to understand, not respond. 5️⃣ Be kind. If you see someone struggling or alone, pull them into the conversation. 6️⃣ Go with positive energy and a positive attitude. It matters and it shows. 7️⃣ If the energy of the networking meet does not resonate with you, get up and walk out. Networking is essential for the growth of your career esp as you move up the ladder. Find your own process, perfect it & make it work for you before your HR/ mentor / senior assigns you a formula that makes you gag. Not kidding. True story. #publicrelations #meetingnewpeople #introvertsinpr #linkedin #careeradvice

As an introvert, the thought of large professional gatherings can be overwhelming. However, you know that networking is crucial for career growth and professional success. One strategy that has worked for me is leveraging online platforms to build meaningful connections. Sites like LinkedIn allow for thoughtful engagement without the immediate pressure of in-person events, making it easier for introverts to connect and engage. By creating and sharing content, you can attract connections naturally. Platforms like Medium, YouTube, GitHub, and X also offer great opportunities to expand your reach and showcase your expertise. Start by joining online communities related to your field and contributing valuable insights. This approach not only helps you build your network but also positions you as a thought leader in your industry. Online networking allows you to take your time crafting messages and engaging in conversations at your own pace. It breaks down the barriers to the hardest part of networking: meeting a large volume of people. For introverts, this method is more manageable and comfortable, opening doors to new opportunities and meaningful relationships. Do you consider yourself an introvert? If so, how have you thought about effectively networking? #Networking #Introvert #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

A crazy underrated networking hack if you’re an introvert is posting content online. I used to think everyone posting online had to be an extrovert with a big personality. I'm not the loudest person in the room, so I figured I could never do it. But here's what I've realized: introverts actually have the most to gain from posting online. Whether you're looking for a job, trying to meet people in your industry, or finding customers and partners, sharing content online is the one networking “hack” I can't recommend enough for introverts. Here's why: 1️⃣ You expand your surface area As an introvert, I'm not the person who strikes up conversations at the gym or yoga class. Content lets me reach people I'd never meet otherwise in a way that feels authentic to me. 2️⃣ It's SO much less scary to reach out to someone you've connected with through content Justin McLaughlin shared an insanely kind post listing me as a marketer he enjoyed following. I loved his content too, so I reached out, and it didn’t feel awkward at all. We had an hour-long conversation about everything from LinkedIn posting to product marketing at startups. 3️⃣ You build connections before walking into any room The idea of walking into a room full of people I don’t know still terrifies me (even though I started my career in sales). But when I went to a creator event Eileen Yang and Verci hosted in NYC last month, I realized I already knew several people through content. Suddenly, being there didn’t feel scary anymore. 4️⃣ Cool people reach out to YOU Eline de Wit 🟣 asked me to be on her podcast (still wild that people want to hear me talk for that long). We connected and realized we did the same job in international expansion for marketplace businesses. I didn't even have to make the first move! 5️⃣ You can skip the small talk One of my biggest pet peeves as an introvert is small talk. But when you've seen someone's content, you can dive right in. Meeting fellow online yappers often feels more like catching up with an old friend than meeting someone new. Don’t get me wrong - the challenges of posting online as an introvert are real (self-promotion feels icky, online interactions can drain your social battery, imposter syndrome is real…this could be a whole post in itself) But if you need motivation to start, here it is. If you’re an introvert, how do you build your network?

*An introvert’s 3 secrets to networking* I hate networking. The entire idea of it makes me shudder a little. I always imagine myself walking into a room full of people I don’t know, standing in the corner by myself, and looking uncomfortable as everyone else chats happily in tight little groups. (Can you tell I’m an extreme introvert?) But building relationships with people around the industry has been an important part of succeeding in my career. How else could I learn about new opportunities, find the right people to hire, understand how other companies solve problems, and even just have people to vent to when things are weird? As an introvert, a few tricks have helped me build a solid network. 1. Use common work tasks like recruiting to build relationships. Whenever I’m hiring for an amazing role, I reach out to lots of people saying, “I know you’re probably happy where you are, but it would be great to meet and get to know each other for the future.” After chatting, they might end up interested in the role, or in a future role down the line. In the process I meet a bunch of great people around the industry. Or if someone incredible reaches out to me for a role I’m not interested in, I say, “I’m not looking for a new role right now, but I’ve heard great things about you and would love to build a relationship for the long-term.” Not everyone accepts, but it’s been surprising how many relationships have come out of this. 2. Set “talk with new people” goals for myself. If I’m feeling uncomfortable at an event, I’ll take a breath and think, “I’m going to talk with 12 new people before I leave.” This might sound corny or even forced, but it gives me a good push to start chatting with people, and usually I’ll get so caught up in conversations that I forget all about that goal. If I’m hosting a dinner, I’ll ask people to swap seats between courses so we can all meet more new people. 3. Excuse myself gracefully from conversations. It’s tempting to stay in a conversation forever once it’s rolling, but one goal of networking is to meet new people. So it’s been helpful to get comfortable excusing myself after a good chat with, “Great to meet you, I’m going to mingle a little.” Often someone else will respond, “Good idea, I’ll do the same.” After all, we're all there to meet new people. The most important thing has been to think about networking differently — not something inauthentic and transactional, but a way to build relationships with people who are interested in the same things I am. Will every new connection turn into a meaningful work relationship or new close friend? Of course not. But some will, and I’ll definitely run into many of the same people again in my career — so why not make friends, and make work more enjoyable? (For regular updates on product, leadership, and scaling, subscribe to amivora.substack.com!)

BEYOND SMALL TALK: NETWORKING WHEN YOU'RE AN INTROVERT Let's bust a myth real quick: Being an introvert doesn't mean you're bad at networking. It means you're wired for deeper connections – and in today's quick-fix culture, that's to your advantage.    Fun fact: Research shows that introverts typically process information through a longer neural pathway, leading to deeper analysis and more meaningful interactions. Translation? While extroverts might excel at making fast connections, your brain is literally built for the kind of substantive relationships that drive real business growth.   Here are some ways to approach those “dreaded” social interactions your work likely requires.    🎯Go Deep, Not Wide  Forget the outdated metric of success where the size of your rolodex is what mattered. Focus on having one genuine conversation instead of ten shallow ones. Your natural ability to listen deeply and ask thoughtful questions is what builds real professional capital. In coaching, we call this "holding space" – and it's a rare skill in our hyperconnected world.   💡 Choose Your Arena Skip the noisy networking mixers and shine in smaller settings. Think intimate coffee chats, focused workshops, or online communities where you can contribute thoughtfully. The psychological concept of "environmental mastery" suggests that controlling your networking environment directly impacts your effectiveness and authentic presence.   🤝 Lead With Curiosity, Not Elevator Pitches Instead of relying on the old standard of "so what do you do?" conversations, get curious about others. Ask about their challenges, their wins, their insights. Research in interpersonal psychology shows that asking follow-up questions increases likability by 40% – and it's something introverts naturally excel at.   ⚡Share Your Work, Not Your Card Create content, share insights, or contribute to discussions in your field. Let your expertise do the talking. This approach leverages what organizational psychologists call "passive networking" – building relationships through value creation rather than direct outreach.   Remember: Networking isn't about becoming someone you're not. It's about leveraging who you already are.    Now I'm curious: What's your favorite way to connect that honors your introvert energy? Drop it in the comments! 👇