You
don’t have to be smart to be interesting.
There,
I said it.
Trying
to get ahead in the world is often a matter of connections. Who you know and
what they’re willing to do for you are important tools to overall achievement.
But
for many, networking causes anxiety. It’s labored, awkward and embarrassing.
They look at others who seem natural at it. Those people are smooth, confident
and articulate—always having some story to tell, something interesting to say.
Truth
is, those people are probably smooth, confident and interesting. But that’s of
no consequence. If the goal is to make more connections and be a better
networker, then a really critical piece—in my humble opinion—is to be
interesting.
So
what’s the trick?
Well,
I think there are several. But one of them is to read. Discover the world. It doesn’t
matter if it’s a topic you’re already passionate about or if it’s something you
think others will be interested in.
Find
an article. Allow your eyes to fall on the words. Innate curiosity will let the
real work happen. And soon, the ingredients of balsamic vinegar will reveal
themselves, the mechanisms behind a pick-and-roll basketball play will no
longer be a mystery or the wrangling behind how Paul McCartney, Kanye West and
Rhianna got together to lay a track will be ready for retelling.
Having
something to share is like pushing off the top of a waterslide. The information
will gush out, propelling even the shiest of individuals to want to speak up.
And
that information will reflect on the storyteller. More often than not, the message
everyone around them will get is hey, this guy or gal is interesting.
***
Angel
Abcede is a writer for a business trade publication and the president of the
Chicago Chapter of Asians & Friends, a social organization supporting gay,
Asian men and those interested in Asian cultures.
