I am interested to find out if there is an appetite for business networking for those with ASD and other ND persons.
I love networking, but I find it very frustrating - Too much fluff and process and rules and ego-stroking and massively focused on relationship building - I don't need to build a deep personal relationship to understand what I need out of a networking relationship.
I'll ask for what I need, when I need it - I can be in the present moment and I like to show up completely unfiltered
You can end up creating a palatable persona to introduce to the people you meet and it gets you nowhere, because it’s not you, you don't get to show up in all your unfiltered glory.
“Spend time building a relationship” they say, “make time for 121s” they say - Just this stuff alone can be hard work for the ND person.
Don’t get me wrong, networking definitely works - provided it’s designed for purpose.
But there are always rules, a complicated system to be followed, a complicated script to be followed (usually far too long) - Restriction on types of business, location, time of day.
I love networking, but increasingly I am choosing to network less and only in the environments that suit my particular needs and they are few and far between.
A little about me - I’m on the Spectrum, but did not know it until I was 34 - I’m ADHD, but did not know it until I was 53. I have experienced anxiety, depression and addiction for most of my life.
I have two children; both are ND and have had similar mental health challenges to those that I have had.
My partner is ND and with 3 (if not 4) siblings also being ND and most likely my Father too, I think I have a pretty good insight into how an ND mind “doesn't” work.
So this is what I want to create - A place for the NeuroDiverse to show up and hang out as it suits them.
The rules will be simple:
- Show Up Unfiltered
- Share your Stuff
- Listen to other Stuff
- Ask for Help
- Develop Your Pitch
You get to network, completely unfiltered, with others who understand what it is to be ND
A weekly meeting with no longs script and an opportunity to make several real face to face connections
You're in, you’ve picked a brain or two, you've gained knowledge, you're out…
You’re there for you, no-one else
No hanging around for nearly two hours to listen to all the schmoozing and ego-stroking
I would welcome any thoughts that you all might have...