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I like you. But I’m not sure that I can recommend you.

This, to me, is the key issue that people so enamored with networking events either ignore or don’t understand.

Don’t misunderstand me. I have met many people that I like at networking events.

That is not the issue.

But how many of these likeable people did I get to know well? Do I really understand what they can do so that I now feel confident in recommending them and their service or product? That is the issue.

Whether I like you depends on personality. Yours and mine. Many organizations take personality into account when they recruit. Some even run personality tests. Personality matters.

However, me recommending you depends on two factors. My understanding of your level of competence and my sense of your ability to contribute meaningfully.

Welcome to my side of the nonsense divide.