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Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert's Guide to Making Connections That Count Hardcover – November 27, 2018

by Karen Wickre (Author)

4.1 175 ratings

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The former Google executive, editorial director of Twitter and self-described introvert offers networking advice for anyone who has ever cancelled a coffee date due to social anxiety—about how to nurture a vibrant circle of reliable contacts without leaving your comfort zone.

Networking has garnered a reputation as a sort of necessary evil in the modern business world. Some do relish the opportunity to boldly work the room, introduce themselves to strangers, and find common career ground—but for many others, the experience is often 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 30 years. She shows you to embrace your true nature to create sustainable connections that can be called upon for you to get—and give—career assistance, advice, introductions, and lasting connections.

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. For example, if you’re anxious about that big professional mixer full of people you don’t know, she advises you to consider skipping it (many of these are not productive), and instead set up an intimate, one-on-one coffee date. She shows how to truly make the most out of social media to sustain what she calls “the loose touch habit” to build your own brain trust to last a lifetime.

With compelling arguments and creative strategies, this new way to network is perfect not only for introverts, but for anyone who wants for a less conventional approach to get ahead in today’s job market.

Print length

240 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Gallery Books
Publication date

November 27, 2018
Dimensions

5.5 x 1 x 8.38 inches
ISBN-10

1501199277
ISBN-13

978-1501199271
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From the Publisher

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Karen Wickre may be the best-connected Silicon Valley figure you’ve never heard of, widely regarded in tech as a champion networker. Now she reveals in highly readable, practical terms how anyone can create and sustain a network painlessly, and why it matters. This book can change your career, and your life.” — Walt Mossberg, former columnist and conference producer for the Wall Street Journal, AllThingsDigital, and Recode

“Karen Wickre has taken a lifetime of learning and put it into a practical, easy-to-use book that people of all stripes and backgrounds will find useful. (And by the way: it’s not only for introverts!)”—Sree Sreenivasan, former Chief Digital Officer of New York City, Columbia University, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

“Listen to Karen Wickre. Taking the Work Out of Networking will make you a better questioner, observer, relationship-nurturer, and, yes—a networker for all the right reasons.” —Blair Shane, Chief Marketing Officer, Sequoia Capital

“If you believe relationships are the bedrock of both adventure and achievement, then you must read this book. Step by step, concept by concept, Karen shares her wisdom on how to build a community of relationships that help you change the world.” —Keith Yamashita, founder and chairman, SYPartners

“Most of us dread the awkward phone calls to strangers and the transactional nature of what we think of as 'networking.' Karen Wickre recasts the notion completely—and extremely usefully—in terms of connections, friendships and reciprocity. A very user-friendly tool for those of us introverts masquerading as extroverts.” —Amanda Bennett, journalist and author

“So many of us dislike or even fear the transactional nature of traditional networking. Karen Wickre has done a great service by showing how it’s possible to make genuine connections that last, that we can nurture across the world for all kinds of purposes.”—Chris Anderson, Head of TED and author of TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking

“In a world of social media, a meaningful conversation is a memorable thing. Karen Wickre reminds us that the ability to put your phone in your pocket, look a person in the eye, and really connect is not only one of life's great pleasures—it is the key to succeeding in your career.”—Kim Scott, author of Radical Candor

“Pragmatic and thoughtful, Karen Wickre shows how networking can move from being transactional to being transformational in your life. Taking the Work Out of Networking gives you the know-how to connect with the know-who. This is one of the best ‘read it in the morning, use it in the afternoon’ career guides I’ve ever read, especially in our social media era.”—Chip Conley, author of Wisdom @ Work: The Making of a Modern Elder

“Karen Wickre has long been an powerful but unsung resource for tech industry insiders seeking career advice. In this charming book, she shares the powerful secrets that will allow introverts--and everyone else--to organically network in the workplace, for better jobs and a more satisfying work life.” —Steven Levy, author of In the Plex

“Taking the Work Out of Networking is a networking game-changer. Karen Wickre reveals how anyone—even the introverts dreading their social obligations—can make strides in their career by building meaningful connections in a thoughtful, diligent way.”—Olivia Fox Cabane, author of The Charisma Myth

“People will always be moving and changing jobs, but the value of human connection doesn't change. Karen Wickre shows how 'loose touch' interactions can make your life better. If you're an introvert, you will find help making connections in ways that don't feel forced or artificial. If you know an introvert, this book makes a good gift.” —Matt Cutts, former Googler

“For introverts who panic at the idea of networking, Wickre's book is a deep, calming breath. You can do it."—Sophia Dembling, author of The Introvert's Way and Introverts in Love

"Networking is essential for business success, yet many still dread it. Prepare to change your mind. Karen Wickre's inspired new book shows readers how to embrace their true selves while building an authentic, sustainable network."—Dorie Clark, adjunct professor at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and author of Stand Out Networking and Reinventing You

"Practical, delightful read... Full of insights and helpful tips, especially regarding social media, this is the perfect book for anyone in the midst of a career transition or considering one."
—Ted.com, “TED’s winter reading list"

About the Author

Silicon Valley veteran Karen Wickre is the former Editorial Director at Twitter, where she landed after a decade-long career at Google. An advisor to startups and a lifelong information seeker, she is a member of the Board of Visitors for the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford University, and serves on the boards of the International Center for Journalists, the News Literacy Project, and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. She has been a featured columnist for Wired.com and is a cofounder of Newsgeist, an annual conference fostering new approaches to news and information. She is the author of Taking the Work Out of Networking and lives in San Francisco.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gallery Books; 1st edition (November 27, 2018)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1501199277
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1501199271
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.7 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.38 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #544,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #556 in Job Hunting (Books)
- #1,804 in Communication Skills
- #1,834 in Communication & Social Skills (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.1 175 ratings

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Karen Wickre

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A long-time communicator and connector, Karen has spent 30+ years in Silicon Valley as an editor and collaborator, including ~15 years on staff at Google and at Twitter. Her book “Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert’s Guide to Connections That Count” reflects her lifelong interest in making meaningful connections, and building a brain trust for life. An avid media consumer, Karen also serves on the boards of several organizations supporting journalism and news literacy, including the JSKnight Fellows Program at Stanford University and the News Literacy Project. See also dogs, art, nonfiction, documentaries, and urban walks.

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175 global ratings

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J. Martin

An informative, enlightening, and potentially transformational book

Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2019

Verified Purchase

The theme/message that comes through in this must-read book is that successful networking springs from, first and foremost, gestures of generosity, a desire to help others by sharing with them information, ideas, recommendations and introductions to other people, even in some cases without their having to ask. That, and being comfortable enough to ask for help yourself when you need it, which may or may not come naturally to you. Such interactions elevate ‘networking’ into ‘connecting,’ which has all sorts of benefits for everyone involved.

For me, this is a refreshing and valuable way to rethink the old networking concept, which too often is equated with going to functions you don’t want to attend and forcing yourself into extrovert mode, introducing and then explaining yourself to strangers.

Wickre’s warm, engaging, comfortable writing style makes it feel as if you’re hanging out with a smart, long-time friend over coffee. All told, this is an informative, enlightening, and potentially even transformational book, an essential read in an era when making real, meaningful connections seems to be growing more difficult with each passing year.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Jason D. Sands

Networking for introverts

Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2020

Verified Purchase

This is a good book about networking for introverts who really don’t like to network. The author has good tips for both online and in person networking.

Helpful

sc_kn

We can now all exhale the next time we are told to "network"

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2018

Verified Purchase

This book review is my first; a testament to how much I appreciate this book and the hard work it's author Karen Wickre put into it.

My background is in journalism and design research both careers that place a high premium on authentic conversations and redirecting the conversation away from yourself. Networking, as I knew it, was the polar opposite -- sell yourself and keep the conversation focused on you, which made it exhausting for me. I would add that beyond being exhausting, this kind of networking felt a bit outdated like a scene from a bad film about Wall Street in the '80s.

Karen Wickre's book "Taking The Work Out of Networking" updates the networking conversation from fake sales pitch to cultivating a meaningful (memorable) conversation. Moreover, what I appreciate is that she not only set this as the goal but then provides the reader with easy tools to achieve it. The book is an easy lift too- the language is engaging and consumable. After, I read it my husband picked it up which again -- never happens. I'm thinking of sending copies to my niece and nephew who are in college and starting their career path. In the book, there are practical tips on how to craft a "social authentic" persona on social media, which I thought they might find helpful.

3 people found this helpful

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MK

Summary: Just do it

Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2019

Verified Purchase

Some useful hints. Links and Index take 25% of the book. Really?

Summary:
Just do it. Do it everyday everywhere with (almost) everybody. Keep in touch with people through all available channels (mostly online). Pester them from time to time with relevant info.

3 people found this helpful

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Learned Extrovert

Everything you know about networking is wrong.* Karen will show you the way

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2019

Verified Purchase

Networking is: 1. giving out your business cards willy nilly at a live event. 2. trying to accumulate the most LinkedIn contacts 3. something you do only when you're looking for a job. 4. A distasteful process. 5. something only extroverts can do well. NONE of the preceding five assertions are true. Wickre describes a gentle, more effective and continuous way to build your network. Some of the members of whom are close to you, but far more have "loose ties," meaning people are not close to you but may be in the position to help in the future. Wickre describes a regular practice of meeting people (in person as much as possible), sending them articles and tweets, or suggesting people your weak ties need to meet, not just in a job context. The principle of preemptive generosity (a.k.a.paying it forward, but in advance) is at play, where you do favors for people in your network in advance of asking anything back. And it's fun to hear people's stories. You're building up karma, or at least goodwill. When you do need something, someone in your network is likely to help. This continuous process requires care and feeding, and a certain amount of time. (not a lot necessarily) This continuous back and forth and building both strong and weak ties, is real networking. The book shows how all of this is more difficult for introverts, but also how they have amazing strengths in getting to know and sizing up people, among other gifts. Even though this book is written for introverts EVERYTHING can be used by extroverts too. I encourage all people who want to improve their professional relationships and the network that springs out of them to buy and share this book with their friends and colleagues.
*ok, maybe not everything.

5 people found this helpful

Helpful

Josh M.

Essential, Highly Digestible, and Witty Networking Advice

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2018

Verified Purchase

I've been a big fan of Karen's for a long time. She has shepherded many a Silicon Valley CEO and their management teams through some of the best of the booms and busts over the last decades. This book is useful for anyone seeking practical advice on building business relationships. It's not just for introverts, and certainly not just for those building and running companies. By dissecting skills into accessible anecdotes and providing clear examples, Karen makes the core lessons easily applicable to the reader and yet highly tangible. It's an easy read, a fun read, you forget you're there to sit at Karen's lap and digest some of her wisdom. We bought several copies to circulate around our office and they've already been passed around several times.

4 people found this helpful

Helpful

Maggie Sinclair

Bad Advice

Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2019

Verified Purchase

The sample for this book was inspiring so I went ahead and bought it...and then the book started going downhill. She suggests that when you meet someone networking that you start with a self-deprecating joke. While those sorts of jokes are fine in social situations, it’s fatal in networking when you only have seconds to make a first impression. Why would someone want to do business with a person who immediately puts themselves down?

Anyway, I tried to return this book but it’s past the time limit so I’m writing this to save money and time for other networkers.

20 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Luki D

Great starter book on networking

Reviewed in Canada on April 12, 2024

Verified Purchase

Lots of useful nuggets, as well as details, examples, and even templates.
Primarily, for those that are new to networking.
Not as much for any intermediate or advanced folks to really hone in their skills.
Great read if you’re looking to get started with networking.

Eduardo

Bad time investment, don't read

Reviewed in Mexico on April 28, 2019

Verified Purchase

Insightful
Filled with corporate panglossism without true meaning
An uninteresting waste of time.
Author presents networking vision and views, takes you through a long and boring tour through main social media platforms.
Seems like self-help for the corporate following sheep.

ian

sale of old age

Reviewed in Germany on July 30, 2019

Verified Purchase

The book is well written and often funny. I recomend reading it. There are some bothersome things in the book that I like to shine a light on:
- I got impression that the authoress desperately tries to stay current with all this technological advance in communication. So desperately in fact that it looks as some sort of sale of older age and wisdom
- I did not like a fact that the authoress overestimate youth in bussines environment and degrades approach and experience of older folks
- And I did not like the fact that just to try to slightly emulate her style of communication it means practically eliminate the most crucial thing on earth - time and energy for a family, wife and children. Because to keep in touch with all all this business contacts, acquantances and so called friends demand too much time which is too precious to squander it on superficial contact.
I admit that some forms of all this communication channels is useful and can land you a job and some friends, but I do not know if it is worth it. We live only once and our time on earth is numbered. I would rather spend that scarce time on quality and good deeds than spread myself too thinly on things that are so prosaic.
Kudos to the authoress for some good chapters on socializing in person and small talk.

2 people found this helpful

Elena

Not the best

Reviewed in Italy on June 27, 2019

Verified Purchase

Some basic insights are contained, but on average - the book is filled with useless information. As many other reviews have pointed out - the author could have done better with a long article, rather than a book. Do not recommend.

Yas

Very interesting book with practical tips!

Reviewed in France on March 25, 2019

Verified Purchase

Very interesting book with many practical tips to help you to consider networking as an enjoyable lifelong journey. I put in practise some of the tips and it works. I also love the different references given by Karen and the genuine experience shared with all of us. A must have book!

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