Taking the Work Out of Networking: An Introvert’s Guide to Making Connections That Count

　　卡倫(Karen Wickre)曾任谷歌與推特的高階主管，並且表明自己是屬於性格內向的人。作為一個IT人才，在矽谷工作超過三十餘年，而今成為推特社交平台的社論總監的她，強調社交概念可以很平易近人，哪怕你有社交恐懼症，連簡單的咖啡廳會面都會怕，也沒關係。

　　有些人很享受拓展社交圈，善於推銷自己給陌生人，進而建立不同的職涯可能性。但對於某些內向的人，這可能是種災難，常讓人不知所措。對於內向者而言，如何改善社交上的恐懼，最簡單的關鍵是忽略恐懼本身。假使你害怕人多的社交場，討厭瘋狂的周末派對，寧可自己待在家讀書或獨處，你也許可以善用一對一的社交模式。其實內向者的特質反而更利社交，舉凡善於傾聽、樂於觀察，皆是利於社交的因素，把握這些特質，你也能在社交場上游刃有餘。

　　盡情發揮自己內在的優良本質吧，擁抱你安靜的一面，活用卡倫的論點與創新的策略，將當代社交密技學以致用！（文/博客來編譯）

　　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.

　　Review

　　“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

　　“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

　　“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

　　“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

　　“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

　　“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

作者簡介

　　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 gathering conference fostering new approaches to news and information. She is the author of Taking the Work Out of Networking and lives in San Francisco.