What if you are not an extrovert who enjoys talking to a room full of strangers? Then you're not alone. Conferences and other networking events are attended by many people like you who feel shy about establishing relationships with new people. So it can easily happen that another shy person approaches you and keeps on talking to nobody else but you for the rest of the day.
In such a situation, you should overcome your shyness. Do you worry about what you can do without offending the other person and making yourself feel uncomfortable? The Harvard Business Review website recommends the following tactics.
1. Introduce him to someone else
After a short conversation, you will probably learn who the person is, what he does for a living, where he works or where he comes from. So, if you already know someone at the event, with something in common, you might introduce them to each other. After you do so, you can excuse yourself and leave.
2. Ask who else he can introduce you to
The person may not be as desperate as you think. Try to ask him whether he has attended the same event or other similar events in the past and got to know some other people in the room. Try a direct question: "Is there someone here who you think you could introduce me to?" Then you can ask him to introduce you or try to approach the recommended person yourself.
3. Create a team
If the common goal is to meet new people at the event, you can join your forces. Agree to approach other participants together. Try to ask a question such as: "I was planning to introduce myself to the group of people next to us and talk to them. Do you want to join me?"
4. Explain your personal plans for the event
Thank the person for an interesting conversation then tell him that now you are going to move to someone else. Do not worry that it will appear to be rude. Explain briefly that your goal for the evening is to improve your networking skills. Say for example: "My goal is to get to know at least three new people at each event." This way, you will show that you do not think the person is bothering you, you just want to improve your networking.
-kk-