Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.'

As someone who leans toward introversion, it has been my habit to avoid networking events like the plague. Devora Zack's book has shown me that events many of us have found uncomfortable or intimidating are not the problem, it is the way we approach the event. If we try to copy our extroverted friends and colleagues, we will fail. But if we build on our own considerable assets and take care of ourselves in the process, we will succeed - brilliantly. Thanks for this important reminder and guide!

I almost read this cover to cover! It is one of those books that you don't want to put down, which I am not accustomed to in a business book! This read is like sitting down one-on-one with the author and getting a perspective to help maximize the real-life benefits of networking. If you ever thought that you don't enjoy networking, or that you are not particularly good at it, this book will change your mind about that quickly. Like the author, I am an introvert and, come to think of it, underconnected too ' and I found many gems in this book. I think even people who love networking will learn a few things too. Great read and super useful.

After reading the reviews, I was expecting a bit more. For me the big takeaway was that it's ok to cling to process as a way of handing social events. Something I do anyhow, but it was validating to hear from another source.

Otherwise, the book is short of substance and high on almost laughably bad social interaction advice. The book is divided into two main sections
a) Explaining the differences between extroverts and introverts. Nothing new here. Suff like "It's ok to want to eat alone."
b) Actual tactics. This is the weakest part of the book with advice like "Stay close to the food table" and "ask questions like 'Are you religious?'" and "Compliment people on unique items they ar wearing" Frankly, the author's advice is so woefully off, it's a little embarrassing. It's like the author just kind of ran out of steam and started making stuff up in order to send the manuscript off to the publishers.

If you, in fact, do need advice like " Here are some sample openers: 'Would you like to join me at the appetizer table?'"... then perhaps this book is for you. If you're looking for something more substantive, then seek elsewhere.

Devora Zack's book, Networking for People Who Hate Networking, is far more than a handy guide on how to work a room. The book offers insights into what makes us who we are and how to use those traits to be successful in business and, if you care to look deeper, in our day to day lives. As Zack points out, Networking is really about connecting with people. Learning how you, and those you interact with, are "wired" opens the door to a whole new world of connectivity, whether it is around a networking event buffet, on an airplane or in your own home. This easy to read, often humorous book provides you with this knowledge as well as simple tips, learning activities and more. A++

I have some very mixed feelings about this book. There are a handful of very interesting tips, but they are buried in such an enormous pile of cutesy phrases, consultant-speak, and brainless chatter that they are very difficult to find. Let me first say that I am a very strong introvert, and the title of this book appealed to me. I've never felt bad about being an introvert, but after reading the staggering amount of space the author devotes to saying "there's nothing wrong with being an introvert! You're not broken, sick, or weird! You're not! You're really not!", I began to think that maybe I should. I found the overall tone of the book to be very annoying. It is written in an overly chatty style, and the author frequently goes off on irrelevant tangents. I expect this is what some other reviewers (astroturfers?) referred to as "laugh out loud hilarity", but I assure you, at no point did I feel even tempted to laugh out loud. Her style obscured her basic points and has a mild, probably unintentional, tone of condescension. And for the sake of honesty, I must admit that I could not tolerate reading more than 3/4 through the book. Let me also say that as a student of Physics, I took particular offense to her embarrassing attempt to tie the concept of quantum entanglement to networking. Ms. Zack, if you're reading this, please take my word that they are in no way related, and the fact that hardly anyone really understands quantum mechanics doesn't mean you can use it to justify whatever you want.

She does have a few useful points scattered amongst the chaff. She advises you to develop an interesting 30 second self-advertisement, variations of which you can spout off as the situation requires. She also advises you to approach networking functions somewhat strategically, creating a meaningful connection with 1-2 people, going off to recharge, then jumping in the fray once again. All excellent advice. But as I said in the title, this book would have made an extremely useful 10 page pamphlet. Instead, she decided to add her "laugh out loud hilarity", cute penguin drawings, and mind numbing stories to make it a full-fledged book.

I cannot honestly recommend this book. There are some good things about it, but I can't help but think there must be more useful and better written books out there.

Fun and easy to read, Devora Zack has redefined networking and our traditional assumptions into practical actions that match your own personal preferences. Rather than putting on an "act" that feels phony, Zack states "the more authentic you are, the more resilient and valuable networks you create." What a great idea - be yourself, use your own natural talent. The advice in this book makes life a lot easier and the networking process actually much more effective.

Devora Zack is incredible! This was a delight to read and gave me a lot of practical advice. I am walking away with tangible steps to help me step out of my quiet self! This is a must for anyone that dreads office parties, networking lunches and all those other awkward moments where you need to talk with people. This book is a gem and I can't wait for her next book to come out!