There’s so much that we can learn from children. Their simplistic view to the world just means that everything they do is pure – unhindered by over analyzing like us adults. I think there’s a lot to be learned from this simple way of doing things. Because they’re not over thinking everything, their decisions are more instinct based and less “interfered” with than ours.

I’ve noticed that new children in a playground do much that we can implement as adults networking in a new environment. It could be in a workshop or a completely new office but some of the things they do really work in adult situations! Here are 3 for you to try the next time you find yourself surrounded by new people.

Try to Find Just One or Two People to “Hang” With

This is obviously rule number one in any new environment: find people to hang out with. The reason this is so much simpler with children is that though may go through the same hesitation and nervousness that adults do, their reason for reaching out is simpler: they just want to find someone to have fun with. They ‘re not looking for the most powerful or the richest or the person who can get them something. They’re just trying to connect at a mutual interest level.

As a newbie, it helps to connect with people who fine the same things interesting as you. In a workshop, it could be over a certain topic. At the office, it’s much easier – a simliar hobby, music or food. Anything that gets the conversation going.

Reach Out to Every Person in the Group

Most kids will try one group of people and if rejected move on to another. Kids tend to be very hoenst. If someone approaches them who they don’t want to play with, they’ll simply say so. The rejected one will feel bad for a bit, they’ve got such tiny little hearts. But they also recover extremely fast. Once over the first rejection they move onto the next group. And the next and the next.

Adults are often scared to appear desperate if they float from group to group. But networking as a skill is a powerful arsenal to have in your repertoire. If you don’t click with the first group of people you try to network with you must try again until you find a connection that is mutually beneficial.

Don’t Be Afraid to “Play on Your Own”

Of course even children have their limits. If they really feel out of place or they simply can’t find someone to connect with they’re quite comfortable playing on their own. You’ll always see a few kids at the play ground who are doing their own thing: drawing in the sand with a stick, swinging on the swings, plucking grass. And you know what? They’re almost always happy.

There’s always a chance that for whatever reason, you simply can’t find that connection. In the event that this happens in a short term workshop, there really isn’t much you an do. But if this happens in an office, give yourself some time. “Play” on your own but remain approachable.