I missed a chance to take center stage at a networking event yesterday.
Why? Because I chose my comfort zone over actual preparation.
I was heading to a local business meeting and realized I didn’t have any physical business cards. As a developer, my immediate instinct was to solve this with technology. I spent my limited prep time building a custom web page and a scannable QR code.
It felt like a smart, modern solution. It wasn’t.
When I got to the event, I realized two things very quickly:
The “Tech” is clunky: Asking someone to pull out their phone, unlock it, open the camera, scan a code, and wait for a page to load is a massive amount of friction.
The “Pitch” was missing: Because I spent my time coding, I hadn’t refined my 30-second introduction. When an opportunity arose to take center stage and speak, I didn’t take it because I wasn’t ready.
The Takeaway: Prioritize the Human Connection
This experience was a harsh reminder that in business, friction is the enemy of connection. By focusing on the “how” (the technology), I completely neglected the “who” (the people) and the “why” (the value I provide).
As developers, we love to optimize processes, but sometimes we optimize for the wrong things. I built a digital handshake, but I forgot that the most effective networking tool isn’t a QR code or a business card-it’s the clarity of your message and the confidence to deliver it.
Next time, I’m putting the laptop down. I’ll be showing up with a clear pitch, a firm handshake, and the courage to take the stage – no code required.
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