When it comes to networking with others, social awareness is essential to making a strong connection. It's surprising how a stimulating back-pocket question will influence a conversation.
What is Social Awareness?
Social awareness is a core competency of emotional intelligence. It is centred on our ability to recognize, understand, and respond to the needs of others, and it is critical in developing strong relationships. By accurately perceiving emotions in others, you can interpret cues like body language they send during conversations. If you have the ability to observe others in social conversation when networking, you get a more accurate view of what is happening, which provides you with information to make a good impression on others.
A Back-Pocket Question Will Open Doors.
Starting a conversation can be difficult and doesn't always go smoothly. Some people are reserved and may feel uncomfortable sharing, especially during the first meeting. Believe it or not, having a back-pocket question is a strategy that can assist you in getting to know others better.
Being prepared with a general question can help you when managing a potentially awkward situation and allows you to demonstrate your interest. The next time you're in a situation where a conversation becomes stale or uncomfortable, bring out a back-pocket question. It will make a difference in how your discussion and interaction progresses.
How to Select your Question.
Use your emotional intelligence and be thoughtful in selecting your question - avoid any discussion on politics, religion or any other potentially sensitive topics. Your question might start with "What do you enjoy most about…" (fill in the blank) - this question generally injects energy into the conversation because most people are passionate when they speak about things they enjoy. Other questions could including asking about pets, children, and hobbies; people love talking about these things!
