How to Network as an Introvert

Overall reaction to the article

• Many introverts found the checklist overwhelming or anxiety‑inducing; trying to do everything at once feels impossible.
• Others appreciated the concreteness: detailed, step‑by‑step tips are exactly what some people want, especially when generic “just be yourself” advice has failed.
• Several readers felt the tone and structure resembled AI‑generated “slop” and that the instructions led to artificial, transactional behavior, even “American Psycho” vibes.
• A minority explicitly praised it as well‑written, practical, and original.

Introversion, social anxiety, and neurodivergence

• Multiple comments argue this is less about introversion and more about social anxiety or autism/ADHD: introverts can often network fine but need recovery time.
• Debate over whether criticizing “this level of instruction” is ableist:
  • One side: detailed scripts are vital for some autistic/ADHD folks and not “weird.”
  • Other side: the critique was about the advice being too specific to be broadly useful, not about people needing help.
• Distinction introduced between anxiety (unlikely worst‑case fear that exposure can reduce) and dread (typical negative outcome, e.g., sensory overload) where “just push through” backfires.

Confidence, performance, and authenticity

• Discussion around “performative confidence”:
  • Some see it as dishonest and prefer owning insecurity.
  • Others say all social behavior is somewhat performative; the goal is to practice until it becomes real, not to permanently fake.
• Overconfidence is seen as more problematic than shyness; false confidence is a trust red flag.
• “Stop caring about doing it well” resonates for some (similar to performance anxiety in music/sports), but others note that learning how to care less is nontrivial.

Value of networking and resentment of it

• Several people question why to network at all, describing events as draining, manipulative, or “psychotic suits” culture; some would rather avoid such spaces entirely.
• Others stress that networking is a learnable skill, not just “vibes,” and that it tangibly affects opportunities and referrals—ignoring it can leave you with only a “potential” network.

Alternative mindsets and practical tips

• Framing: treat interactions as chances to learn about people, not as performances; genuine curiosity beats techniques.
• Suggested strategies:
  • Go gradually: pick one or two behaviors from any checklist instead of trying all at once.
  • Use a distinctive “whatzit” object (e.g., fountain pen) as a conversation magnet.
  • Prefer recurring events to build familiarity over time; remember small details; avoid clinging only to known people.
  • Use gentle conversational tools: specific questions (“What are you currently obsessed with?” / “What surprised you most about that?”), meta‑icebreakers, and name‑repetition to remember names.
    • Some, however, dislike “obsession/passion” questions and feel put on the spot.
  • A tactful way to leave a 1:1: “Follow me, I’ll introduce you to X,” instead of abandoning someone alone.
• One recurring theme: scripts and micro‑tasks can reduce anxiety for some, while others experience them as contrived and prefer minimal structure plus practice.