Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected [Paperback]

Devora Zack (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 27, 2010

Devora Zack, an avowed introvert and a successful consultant who speaks to thousands of people every year, found that most networking advice books assume that to succeed you have to become an extrovert. Or at least learn how to fake it. Not at all. There is another way.

This book shatters stereotypes about people who dislike networking. They’re not shy or misanthropic. Rather, they tend to be reflective—they think before they talk. They focus intensely on a few things rather than broadly on a lot of things. And they need time alone to recharge. Because they’ve been told networking is all about small talk, big numbers and constant contact, they assume it’s not for them.

But it is! Zack politely examines and then smashes to tiny fragments the “dusty old rules” of standard networking advice. She shows how the very traits that ordinarily make people networking-averse can be harnessed to forge an approach that is just as effective as more traditional approaches, if not better. And she applies it to all kinds of situations, not just formal networking events. After all, as she says, life is just one big networking opportunity—a notion readers can now embrace.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Devora Zack consults to dozens of diverse organizations in private industry, federal agencies, and the public sector. Sample clients include: America Online, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, International Monetary Fund, DC United, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Governor's Office (MD), Internal Revenue Service, ICF Consulting, Department of Homeland Security, Low Income Housing Fund, National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, numerous Federations, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the U.S. Department of Education.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers (July 27, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605095222
• ISBN-13: 978-1605095226
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Guides
  • #89 in Books > Business & Investing > Skills

More About the Author

Hi! I know you'll love my book because it's practical and fun - as perfect a combo as peanut butter and chocolate. I'm a leadership consultant w/an MBA (Cornell) and BA (Penn). I have 100+ well-known clients and speak at dozens of major events annually. Learn more at wwww.onlyconnectconsulting.com.

MOST importantly I am an off-the chart introvert w/zest. Plus I'm overwhelmed most the time and underconnected to this day. My book is for people who have always hated networking and think they stink at it...foolishly following techniques that drain rather than energize them. Do you believe your natural traits can be your best strengths, networking is about meaningful connections, and cocktail parties can be a blast? Believe it!

Can't wait to hear your stories.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for Introverts only, October 14, 2010

By 

Dennis Baker (South Carolina) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected (Paperback)

Would you rather get a root canal than schmooze with a bunch of strangers?

In "Networking for People Who Hate Networking", Ms. Zack explores the inner workings of the introverted vs. extroverted personality type. She helps to dispel some of the myths or stigmas that seem to be attached to the introverted personality type. This is an easy to read book with a good bit of humor.

Very early in the book she provides a comprehensive self assessment that aids in determining how strong your preference is for your dominant style. Introvert, extrovert or somewhere in between.

The "Crash" course on Introverts and Extroverts in chapter 3 is an excellent look at the difference in the two personality types. According to Zack introverts are reflective, focused and self-reliant, while extroverts are verbal, expansive and social. A few more traits of these 2 divergent cultures include:

Introverts

* Think to talk
* Energize alone
* Enjoy few stimuli
* Need concentration
* Prefer one on one discussion
* Value privacy

Extroverts

* Talk to think
* Energize with others
* Enjoy simultaneous stimuli
* Need diversion
* Prefer group discussion
* Value public sharing


Zack's re-write of the golden rule (Treat others as you want to be treated) to the platinum rule (Treat others as they want to be treated) is pure genius.

The book is an excellent "field manual" for introverts and provides numerous guidelines and "how to" examples for different networking situations.

Ms. Zack smashes the dusty old rules of standard networking advice and introduces the sparkling new rules of pause, process and pace. She then fully explores these concepts in great detail for a variety of networking situations.

This book is not just for introverts or people that don't like networking. As Ms. Zack suggests in the book, there are 2 distinct cultures that behave in drastically different ways. This book will benefit both introverts and extroverts. Each will walk away with a better understanding of how the other half ticks, allowing them to develop new ways to effectively interact with the other.

34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Adressed to a specific segment.., October 12, 2010

By 

Guillermo Flores Villagran (Mexico, D.F. Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected (Paperback)

This book succeeds in describing the perfect introvert. Give valuable advice in order to accept this condition. However, the networking part, that should be most important in the book; gives a very narrow and segmented tips that apply to a specific group: people who work in an office and attend regularly to networking events. I guess the author could be wider in her scope. Networking opportunities lay in everywhere, not only in corporative seminars. Not a bad book. Actually very enjoyable, just a little short sighted.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The anti-schmooz, anti-sleaze guide to networking, July 29, 2010

By 

Leslie Williams (Shepherdstown, WV USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Networking for People Who Hate Networking: A Field Guide for Introverts, the Overwhelmed, and the Underconnected (Paperback)

When was the last time you read a business book that combined intellectual rigor, immense practicality and uproarious humor? If it's been a while (like forever) since you've read a book like that, buy this one. Devora Zack completely redefines networking - both how we think about it and what it takes to succeed at it. She backs her ideas up with encyclopedic wisdom, ranging from neuroscience to philosphy to, well, the Lemonheads. Not only does this book offer a new and helpful perspective, but it will make you laugh. Devora is just plain funny - casual, self-deprecating direct and irreverent. This is a wonderful book - and the only business book I'd call a 'page-turner.'