creating an impact: networking for scientists · 2017-10-30 · network: why and how communicating...

CREATING AN IMPACT: NETWORKING FOR SCIENTISTS

Teresa Evans, PhD

OVERVIEW

Building Your Network: Why

and How

Communicating Self Confidence

10 Tips For How To Make

Small Talk

BUILDING YOUR NETWORK: WHY DO IT?

• Find Friends

• Learn From Each Other

• Make Connections

• Find Mentors

• Build a Personal Board of Directors

BUILDING YOUR NETWORK: HOW MAINTAIN IT?

• Thank You Notes • Hand Write Them!

• Schedule Follow Up Meetings with VIPs

• Keep LinkedIn Updated

BUILDING YOUR NETWORK: HOW

DO IT?

• Get Out of the Lab

• Be Strategic • Choose the events you

go to wisely

• VIPs First

• Master Small Talk

• Be Confident

HOW TO COMMUNICATE SELF-CONFIDENCE

If you don’t communicate self-confidence, then how can others be confident about what you say?

“A flower does not think about competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms.”

“CONFIDENCE IS CONTAGIOUS AND SO IS LACK OF CONFIDENCE, AND A CUSTOMER WILL RECOGNIZE BOTH.” _VINCE LOMBARDI

HOW CAN YOU COMMUNICATE

SELF-CONFIDENCE?

SPEAK LOUDLY, SLOWLY & CLEARLY

ENOUGH TO BE HEARD AND

UNDERSTOOD

Smile Smiling helps you look relaxed & communicates warmth and sincerity

Make eye contact

3 seconds is the best amount of time*

*Pupil dilation as an index of preferred mutual gaze duration Nicola Binetti, Charlotte Harrison, Antoine Coutrot, Alan Johnston, Isabelle Mareschal Published 6 July 2016.DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160086

STAND UP STRAIGHT

SHOULDERS BACK, HEADUP,

WEIGHT EVENLY DISTRIBUTED ON FEET

If you’re seated Sit up straight, keep hands on the table & feet firmly on the ground

LISTEN TO THE OTHER PERSON’S INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS

FOCUS ON THE PERSON YOU’RE INTRODUCING YOURSELF TO

SHAKE HANDS FIRMLY WHILE MAKING EYE CONTACT &

SMILING

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS CARD IF ASKED - OR ASK PERMISSION

TO GIVE IT

(and receive theirs respectfully)

MASTERING SMALL TALK FOR SCIENTISTS

1. REDUCE ANXIETY

• Do your homework

• Change the way you talk to yourself

1. REDUCE ANXIETY

“The anxiety is coming from me and my beliefs, not the

situation. I can do this.”

“What’s the worse that can happen? If they don’t like me,

so what?”

“Just because [XYZ] happened in the past, doesn’t mean it will happen again.”

"Labels don't define me. I'm an interesting, worthy person

with a lot to contribute."

"Everyone needs someone to talk to at networking

events. If I strike up a conversation with that person, he or she will

probably be glad to have someone to talk to."

“I will reward myself with a quiet evening on the couch,

watching my favorite movie.”

2. BE PURPOSEFUL

• Self Fulfilling Prophecy

• If you approach small talk with the belief that it will be dull and pointless, it probably will.

• Don’t dwell on negative thoughts

• “I’m awful at this”

• “I hate small talk”

• “when can I go home?”

3. BE CURIOUS

• As scientists we are curious and like to dig deep

• In small talk, dig deep with the person you talk to

• Approach the conversation with genuine interest

• Carefully listen to the other person and provide a thoughtful response.

4. PREPARE YOUR INTRO

1/10th of a Second to judge

someone and make a first impression.

Confidence in the impression increases with time*

Must Maintain Consistency in Communications With Time

• Prepare what you will say • Practice your introduction • Speak loudly, slowly and clearly • Know Handshake and Business

Card Etiquette

*Willis, J.; Todorov, A. (2006). "First impressions: Making up your mind after 100 ms exposure to a face"(PDF). Psychological Science. 17: 592–598. PMID 16866745. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2006.01750.x.

5. ASK QUESTIONS

• Allow the other person to take center stage

• Build comfort, test the waters, then share something about yourself

• Ask questions like: • “What have been some of your biggest challenges?”

• “What are you most proud of?”

6. SHARE

• Question: "How are you?"

• Short response: ”I’m Fine."

• Better response: "Good, thanks. I'm getting ready for my dissertation proposal. It will be my first time proposing my dissertation work on the role of inflammation in cancer, and I look forward to my next steps."

6. SHARE

• Question: "Where are you from?"

• Short response: ”Ohio."

• Better response: "I'm from Ohio. I grew up in a small town there where I ran my family’s restaurant. It was that experience that laid the foundation for my career.”

6. SHARE

• Question: "What did you do this weekend?"

• Short response: "I went house-hunting."

• Better response: "I went house-hunting. We're considering the city versus the suburbs. We can get more house in the suburbs, but the trade-off is the commute."

7. DEEPEN THE CONVERSATION

1. “Where are you from”

2. "What is your hometown like?"

3. “How is it different from here?”

Start Simple Deepen with Open-Ended Questions

8. CONSIDER NONVERBAL CUES

59% 41%

Facial Expressions andBody Language

Tone and Voice

9. BE KIND

• To Yourself and Others

• Smile

10. MAKE PROPER INTRODUCTIONS

• Hallmark of a skilled small talker is introducing others with ease

• Not just about the name, make it personal

• Be Genuine and Sincere

• Let’s Practice

BONUS TIP: HAVE A BUDDY

• Use the phrase “I need. . .”

• Mention something from the interaction that meant something to you, this shows you are not leaving because you are bored. • “I enjoyed talking with you about your

research. I hope to talk again soon about how we might collaborate.”

BONUS TIP: HAVE A BUDDY Rescue Signals

• If you need to escape

• If you forget a name

THANK YOU

Contact Us: TeresaEvansPhD@gmail.com @TeresaEvansPhD

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