Six Networking Strategies for Introverted Healthcare Professionals

Networking is a professional skill that healthcare professionals, such as physicians, can learn. Although extroverts may seem more naturally suited for the department happy hour, the annual medical conference at the large hotel, or the hospital holiday gala, this is partially because the events are often designed for them. Think of a loud, stimulating, crowded space with a swirl of superficial conversations.

For those of us who are introverts, these types of networking events are more daunting. Even the word “networking” can elicit a feeling of nausea. Yet, learning how to connect with other healthcare professionals and grow your network is not only completely doable, it can be crucial to achieving academic promotion, gaining leadership opportunities, getting invited to join research teams, pursuing writing projects, and becoming the coveted guest speaker. The networking process can be broken down into fundamental building blocks, or microskills, that are actionable without your draining energy.

The truth is, many people identify as ambiverts — claiming characteristics of both extroverts and introverts. True introverts are not necessarily shy or anti-social, however, we introverts prefer solo or one-on-one time to recharge and to connect in deep and meaningful ways. So the question becomes: for those medical professionals who have more introverted tendencies, how might we learn to enjoy navigating the professional healthcare social landscape?

Since introverts are good at managing their energy, we can apply what we know to healthcare professional networking events to help champion this microskill. Here are six actions introverts can take to network:

1. Arrive rested: Shift work, weekend call, and an overall irregular work schedule can make it difficult to commit to a sleep routine that makes you feel rested. That being said, committing to healthy sleep habits as much as possible will help you arrive energetic. Sleep and other self-care practices, such as engaging in regular exercise or taking naps, will help you stay focused and engage with professional connections.
2. Calibrate your timeline: Make a personal timeline you can revisit once you arrive at the event. Variables you can adjust include arrival time, departure time, duration of the event, and more. There’s no obligation to attend the entire event — especially given your busy work schedule. You can arrive early, stay for the social hour, and leave before the sit-down dinner. Or arrive when the mentor awards ceremony begins after dinner and stay for dessert and coffee.
3. Apply your agency: Calendar and plan ahead. Ahead of a medical conference in another city, you can invite three colleagues you know are attending and make a reservation at a restaurant of your choice. Attend the large group gathering and leave together for the small group meal. Planning an exit strategy may be anxiety-inducing. Yet, once you have had your social fill or you have your next event to attend, you can depart, and send a text, email, or thank you note to the event host to assuage any feelings of impropriety.
4. Value quality, not quantity, of conversations: Focus on one person at a time. And one conversation at a time. Try setting a goal to speak with a certain number of new people. Once you hit your goal, you can tap out. Be sure to ask questions and speak on topics that interest you. If the space is loud, remember you have options. For introverts, the noise and inherent design of the activity can make focusing difficult. Step outside the event for a conversation. Suggest a walking conversation that departs at and returns back to the event.
5. Exchange information now and connect later: If you’re at an event but getting tired, ask a researcher with whom you hope to collaborate if it’s OK to follow up at a future time. Propose a coffee, walking meeting, or virtual meet-up with the clinical supervisor you hope can serve as a mentor. Be ready to share your contact information and ask for their email, business card, or mobile phone number. Close the circle right then and there by texting them so you are now in each others’ contacts.
6. Give yourself and your team grace: Don’t be discouraged if you feel drained after a social event. Self-reflect, listen to yourself, and experiment with different rituals and practices to find what maintains and even energizes you. If you feel comfortable explaining your introverted tendencies at the next faculty meeting, you may be surprised at your colleagues’ relief when others now freely express that they feel similarly.

While introverts may frequently find themselves uncomfortable in the overwhelming environment of healthcare professional networking events designed for extroverted people, they can make these events less daunting and more fulfilling with strategic behaviors and a self-care mindset. This transformation can lead to the discovery of professional growth opportunities and the cultivation of significant professional relationships.

Resa E. Lewiss, MD, is a professor of emergency medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, creator and host of The Visible Voices podcast and the Academic Emergency Medicine Education & Training podcast, and co-author of the book MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact.

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