Picture this: You are at a networking event, you have a brief conversation with an individual and ask for that person's card, which is cheerfully handed over. In turn, you ask if you may give her your card, only to receive the following response: "No, I'm not interested in what you do."
Wow. Ouch. Back the bus up. Really?
This happened to a friend and colleague of mine. We were both amazed that someone could be so, well, blunt about her feelings. In the interest of being polite, most people will simply take the card and dispose of it later.
In this particular case, my colleague takes networking very seriously. He went on to have coffee meetings with 25 people he met at that same networking event, many of whom could have made use of the professional services this woman has to offer. A number of individuals on his very large list of contacts would have been ideal clients for him to connect with her ... and oh, she might have appreciated an invitation to visit the networking group he coordinates each week. However, while he did retain her card and contact information, he doesn't see himself reaching out to her in the near future.
He also said it was interesting to see that while he was having his conversation with her, the two people waiting to speak with her turned and walked away as they over-heard her words to him.
I wonder if she realizes the impact her words have on those around her...
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Remember...
You just never who you are speaking with or the contacts and connections that person may have. He/she could be someone that leads you to your dream job, connects you to your next big client, or the type of person that bites you in the back side.
It could also be someone that turns out to be a good friend. You just don't know...
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