Yes, the answer is talking and listening. In more detail it’s asking questions, making comments , giving opinions,and listening in a pro-active manner.
I had a short cameo today when I met a man at the IoD London. We shared a table and got chatting. I found out about what he did now, what he had done in the last 30 years and what plans he had for retirement.
He asked me nothing. Who got the most out of that 10 minutes?
To be a good networker the key is asking pertinent questions , listening carefully and acting if you spot a potential opportunity.
He will have gone away thinking “What a great man I just met, he was so interesting.”!