Taking the Work Out of Networking

An Introvert's Guide to Making Connections That Count

By: Karen Wickre

Narrated by: Karen Wickre

“For introverts who panic at the idea of networking, Wickre’s book is a deep, calming breath.” —Sophia Dembling, author of The Introvert’s Way

Former Google executive, editorial director of Twitter, self-described introvert, and “the best-connected Silicon Valley figure you’ve never heard of” (Walt Mossberg, Wall Street Journal), offers networking advice for anyone who has ever canceled a coffee date due to social anxiety. Learn to nurture a vibrant circle of reliable contacts without leaving your comfort zone.

Networking has garnered a reputation as a sort of necessary evil. Some people relish the opportunity to boldly work the room, introduce themselves to strangers, and find common career ground—but for many others, the experience is awkward, or even terrifying.

The common networking advice for introverts are variations on the theme of overcoming or “fixing” their quiet tendencies. But Karen Wickre is a self-described introvert who has worked in Silicon Valley for thirty years. She shows you how to embrace your quiet nature and “make genuine connections that last, that we can nurture across the world for all kinds of purposes” (Chris Anderson, head of TED).

Karen’s “embrace your quiet side” approach is for anyone who finds themselves shying away from traditional networking activities, or for those who would rather be curled up with a good book on a Friday night than out at a party. With compelling arguments and creative strategies, this “practical, easy-to-use” (Sree Sreenivasan, former chief digital officer of Columbia University) book is a perfect guide.

Very good, highly recommended

Karen covers all the basics with specific examples of what to do and what not to do - and really interesting as taken from the point of view of an Introvert.

I liked it

It helped me to prepare to one networking event
Of course it should be more advice on what are topic starets.

Great ideas about building relationships

A great book on the topic of building and sustaining relationships in the modern age. The author shares several actionable ideas and is clearly an expert on the topic. One of the best books on the topic, I've read in recent years. The book has excellent ideas for both introverts and extroverts and is a terrific reminder that we're living in a relationships first era.

Hate networking? Get this book.

Karen offers a well-written, well-read guide for those of us who would rather do anything by network.

Way too pedantic

This book starts off strong for the first 2 hours or so, recommending to the reader a new paradigm for networking that involves staying in loose touch with a good number of people using simple means like email, text, or social media, rather than grinding away at networking events.

But then the author goes into asinine detail about the intricacies of Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, the functions of email, and even emojis. These were written as if the reader would be ignorant as to these services, even though this book was published in 2018.

I still overall found the book helpful, but most readers can safely call it quits once she starts diving into the section on social media