Behavioral Scale Deep Dive: High Networking

Networking: The ability to collect and maintain many personal and professional relationships among a diversity of people. 

Are you someone who loves going to big parties and meeting new people? Are you having a hard time during the quarantine not being able to go to big social events? If so, you may be a high scorer in networking. Let’s take a look at the behavioral traits of someone with a high score in networking and what you can do to best encourage their growth. 

High Networking

Meet Jennifer. Jennifer is a social butterfly who loves to organize and attend events, striking up conversations with different people from one end of the hall to the other. She’s always seeking out new people at parties and isn’t afraid to attend something even if she doesn’t know anyone there- actually, she finds it exciting! She has tons of friends due to her easy and outgoing nature and can bounce from different social circles easily. She has no problem striking up a conversation at the grocery store and looks forward to regular happy hours with her friends.

Jennifer is a good example of someone who likely has a high networking score. She:

Is a natural networker who prefers to maintain numerous personal friendships

Has a “more the merrier” approach to life

Tends to be very comfortable in group settings and enjoys socializing You also tend to take people “at face value” and do not over-complicate relationships. 

Is a natural socializer who tends to see the world through “rose colored glasses,” ignoring inner complexities in oneself and others.

Is not given to introspection or soul searching 

Is motivated by conversation, camaraderie group projects and socializing. 

 

Tips for Managing High Scorers

Although high scorers in networking can be the life of the party, sometimes they can overpower their less social counterparts in meetings and gatherings.

Here are some tips for managing someone with a high networking score: 

Encourage them to listen more than they speak.

At times they may socialize too much and become
 distracted from their tasks or projects. Encourage them to stay focused and to reward themself with social interactions after the work gets done. 

Encourage them to keep conversations more focused when work is involved. 

Talk less and do more.

Practice completing a task on time and then engage in social time as a reward.