You perfectly described how I‘ve been feeling about networking for the last year. I started getting generic networking messages in my Linkedin DMs and noticed I don’t want to answer them if they didn’t bother to check my profile. I‘m also much more intentional when I send DMs than previously. And I also read the feed less, because it feels generic.
It’s discouraging, isn’t it? It reminds me a lot ‘smile like you are dead inside’ photos. For this very reason I prioritise in-person networking events this year.
What a grounding thought... And I am completely on board with what you wrote quite eloquently here. However, the people who are performative and throw a wide net to "network" seem to be the most commented upon and "liked" in my experience and that in itself bothers me to a certain extent... Instead of building real connections, I sometimes find myself to gravitate towards the superficiality of connections. Maybe it's the paranoid, suspicious me but I am seeing actual comments and messages to articles and writeups that authors painstakingly write to get commented with AI generated responses.... I'm going to sit with what you have written and think through this. Thank you
thank you for sharing your perspective. We all all performing, we are all wearing masks. Some people are better actors than the other. Sometimes you meet people with mesmerising personality and you want to keep gravitating around them to find out more to be like them even just a little. Ultimately you need to find the right balance in your network. With some people just doesn’t “click”, it’s socially acceptable to keep the shallow and polite relationship. There is nothing wrong with it. Networking topic is as long as the river. For me personally AI generated responses are no-no, especially here on Substack. AI writes wonderful messages to my local authorities like townhall when I need zero soul, just facts. I’m here for the connections and real people. Otherwise I could generate myself articles on every topic instead of coming here.
You perfectly described how I‘ve been feeling about networking for the last year. I started getting generic networking messages in my Linkedin DMs and noticed I don’t want to answer them if they didn’t bother to check my profile. I‘m also much more intentional when I send DMs than previously. And I also read the feed less, because it feels generic.
It’s discouraging, isn’t it? It reminds me a lot ‘smile like you are dead inside’ photos. For this very reason I prioritise in-person networking events this year.
Exactly! For a long time I thought it’s easier to network online, but right now, I’m more relaxed when I go to events in person.
What a grounding thought... And I am completely on board with what you wrote quite eloquently here. However, the people who are performative and throw a wide net to "network" seem to be the most commented upon and "liked" in my experience and that in itself bothers me to a certain extent... Instead of building real connections, I sometimes find myself to gravitate towards the superficiality of connections. Maybe it's the paranoid, suspicious me but I am seeing actual comments and messages to articles and writeups that authors painstakingly write to get commented with AI generated responses.... I'm going to sit with what you have written and think through this. Thank you
thank you for sharing your perspective. We all all performing, we are all wearing masks. Some people are better actors than the other. Sometimes you meet people with mesmerising personality and you want to keep gravitating around them to find out more to be like them even just a little. Ultimately you need to find the right balance in your network. With some people just doesn’t “click”, it’s socially acceptable to keep the shallow and polite relationship. There is nothing wrong with it. Networking topic is as long as the river. For me personally AI generated responses are no-no, especially here on Substack. AI writes wonderful messages to my local authorities like townhall when I need zero soul, just facts. I’m here for the connections and real people. Otherwise I could generate myself articles on every topic instead of coming here.
Well said. Looking forward to your next piece!
Thank you, I appreciate that a lot!