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Being good at “talking to girls” is an important skill in life. But, I don’t say this for the reasons you’re probably thinking.
I’ve been going to a lot of meetups and networking events lately, which led me to a few thoughts about social events.
The nature of social events really doesn’t change all that much as you get older. Some people are talkative. Some are more reserved. Some groups mix well. Some don’t. These personalities all come to the party to create an interesting set of interactions.
And while the basic nature doesn’t change all that much, the goals/value of social events does evolve. In middle school and high school, you could say the value of social events are to learn basic social skills (or something like that). In college, events are more about having fun and meeting members of the opposite sex. After college, you start seeing more events that are meant to also further business goals.
At a recent networking event, I was briefly contemplating how to get a friend an introduction to a business contact of mine. For some reason, I realized I was playing the role of the “wing-man”, except in a different context. Consequently, I then had another realization: being good at “talking to women” (or your preferred sex) is a valuable skill set. (I think the slang term “hitting on” gets to my meaning more clearly, but I didn’t want to send the wrong message.)
Specifically, I’m referring to being skilled at meeting that one person you really want to talk to and connect with in a meaningful way. Now of course, the reason I analogize this skill to “talking to women” is simply because, as a male, this is the first version of this type of competitive social game that I encountered in my life. Many versions exist. The point is, being able to connect with that one person in the room that is significant to you (and likely others) is important.
So I guess you could say “talking to” members of your preferred sex is an important part of an education. And going through this exercise hones skills that have tangible value in your professional life, if you’re paying attention.
Kevin
10.22.09
