CHAPTER 10

Tips for Navigating a Room Full of Strangers

by Amantha Imber

I hate the feeling of walking into a large conference hall and seeing a sea of strangers. Everyone seems to be having an amazing time, connecting with long-lost friends, whereas I feel like a social pariah. I’m always at a loss as to how I will infiltrate the crowd and find even one single person who might want to talk to me. If I do manage to find that person, I struggle with what to say. How do I keep the conversation going?

I’ve interviewed many experts for my podcast, How I Work, and they’ve suggested some very interesting (and practical) ways to get your way around networking. Here’s some advice on how to get better at it.

Look for Islands

Marissa King, professor of ...

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