Networking for Introverts
Make the most of climate week without exhausting yourself
Hello sunshine! As I gear up for a fun-filled climate week, I wanted to share a few tips I’ve acquired over the years for navigating large summits. I’ve also included some information on events where you’ll be able to find me. If you’re in town, perhaps our paths may collide. Wishing you a merry, educational, and inspirational climate week.
5 Tips for Navigating Climate Week NYC
Or Any City’s Climate Week or Major Conference
TLDR; Know thyself.
I’m an introvert (social interactions require energy as opposed to creating energy) from a culture that thinks it is rude to ask people what they do for a living. So full transparency, networking events often feel a bit icky to me and they are low on my list of favored activities. But there is so much to be gained from the immense knowledge-sharing and connection inspired by climate weeks, conferences, and gatherings. Here is how I will be surviving next week.
1. Pick events that genuinely interest you
Climate Week NYC 2019, I went to every single event I could squeeze into my schedule. I attended a talk and happy hour for women civil engineers working on sustainability projects. While this was extremely interesting and the hors d'oeuvres were delish, I was 100% the odd woman out. The event was literally not for me. It was for badass engineers. Last year, I took a more strategic approach and chose topics and groups that were 100% aligned with my interests, goals, and skill set. I got so much more out of the experiences.
2. Pace yourself
If you’re a capital I introvert like myself and social interactions drain you of energy, be honest with yourself about how many events you really need to attend. Climate Week NYC has over 500 events. You certainly don’t need to attend several a day if that energy expenditure has diminishing returns.
3. Talk to at least one new person
This is the time to drop your stranger danger antics. There are several events this week, where I will know many of the attendees. While I am stoked for those, I am challenging myself to talk to at least one new person. I do love meeting new people. But in the context of back-to-back networking events, it might be easier and more energy-sustaining to talk to only the people I know. But the world is filled with beautiful, interesting, and wonderful strangers.
4. Bring a buddy
On the other side of the coin, you’re never too old for the buddy system. Take the pressure off yourself of having to make small talk exclusively with strangers and recruit a wingman. Don’t have a go-to PIC (partner in climate)? Recruit a friend who may be less involved in the climate movement and share your passion with them.
5. Make Your Lock Screen a QR Code
Make a quick QR code, whether it’s your LinkedIn, your business website, an event, or anything else you might want to quickly share with others. Then make it the lock screen on your phone. That way when you’re chatting with someone and really connecting, you can quickly whip out the QR code instead of asking them to remember a web address.
Who, What, When, Where
Climate Week NYC
This year’s Climate Week NYC has over 500 events making it the largest climate gathering/conference anywhere ever. The energy and momentum going into this week is colossal. I pray it reverberates across the planet and sets a tone of action for the next year.
If you will not be in NYC this coming week, many of the events are streaming. So please still check out anything that interests you.
If you are here, below are the three main events you can find me at. Feel free to reach out if you’d like to connect :)
March to End Fossil Fuels
Who: Organized by Fridays for Future
What: This will be the largest climate mobilization in the US in five years. Bring your signs, your friends, and your energy for a brighter future.
When: Sunday, Sept 17, 1 pm
Where: Starting at West 56th & Broadway, Manhattan, NYC, and ending at the United Nations Building
The Regenerative Toolkit
Who: Organized by myself and eco-therapist Maia Kiley
What: A workshop providing you with practices for personal and community resilience in the age of climate change.
When: Thursday, Sept 21, 5:30 pm
Where: The Vinegar Hill Community Garden, in DUMBO Brooklyn
Market Place for the Future
Who: Organized by Future Meets Present
What: This is a world’s fair for sustainability. I’m specifically excited for a talk on climate activism with my two friends Michelle Li and Anne Therese Gennari.
When: Sept 22, 2023, 2:30-10 pm
Where: Starrett-Lehigh Building 601 West 26th Street 17th Floor
