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You're listening to Life Kit from NPR.

Hey everybody it's

it's Mariel I recently went to a conference and there were lots of booths

set up and presentations throughout the day but the main event the reason everyone

was actually there, was the networking.

I'll be honest, the whole, here's my card and let's get coffee.

It feels awkward to me.

And sometimes at these events I just want to hide in my hotel room. One study from the

Harvard Business School found that just the thought of professional networking can make people

feel dirtier. Participants developed a sudden and disproportionate

interest in soap and toothpaste. But in that same study there was one group

that didn't feel grossed out. Senior executives because they weren't looking for anything. They didn't need anything.

In fact, they were full of resources like budgets and information and

introductions and guidance and mentorship. That's Robbie Samuels, a virtual design event consultant and recognized networking expert

by the likes of Forbes and the Harvard Business Review.

He says the key to networking is to approach it not with a mindset of what

you need but rather what you can offer. Think about it like giving rides to the airport.

If you become known as a person who's always giving rides to the airport,

...