Now I’m not saying this to be rude, but at almost every conference there will be certain types of people you should just plain avoid, like:
1. Soul Suckers
These people start talking to you and suddenly they want to be your best friend because you have something they want but they don’t have anything in return.
It’s all about what you can do for them.
I have experience in this field. It comes down to dealing with someone incredibly insecure or a narcissist, or both. Don’t let a Soul Sucker hitch their wagon to yours or coerce you into hitching your wagon to theirs.
2. Burnouts
Burnouts are easy to spot.
They are basically people who never quite made it. They’ve lost that sparkle in their eye and they’re either holding out for that lucky break or…they’re just plain miserable.
Be kind but stay clear of Burnouts. They may be trying to bring the whole ship down, including yours.
3. Not-Doers
These people call themselves “lifelong students.” They know so much about everything that they’ll probably forget more than you’ll ever learn.
The obvious problem with Not-Doers is they don’t actually do anything. They just keep on consuming information, furthering their education and attending conferences as if it’s going to give them the magic breakthrough they’ve been hoping for.
If some expert gets up and pitches their product, chances are the Not-Doer will buy it. That’s how you spot one.
4. Sales Robots
These are the overbearing, aggressive salespeople who have this notion that a conference is the perfect storm to pitch their you-must-hear-me-out-this-is-the-best-opportunity-ever product or service.
What I can’t stand about the Sales Robot is that they’re not at the conference to make a human connection with people. They just want buyers and customers.
Even if they did have the perfect solution for your business, they’re never going to close the sale, because—let’s face it—the Sales Robot just doesn’t get it.
5. Ragers
The Rager is the guy who shows up after lunch with bloodshot eyes wearing yesterday’s clothes. He’s not there to network, or to learn, or promote himself—he’s there to party like it’s 1999.
I remember walking into a nightclub at the Wynn in Las Vegas and wondering who around me was going to end up drinking way too much, projectile vomiting and blacking out on the dance floor.
Sure enough, as I predicted, the Rager showed up and did just that. I wasn’t there to see it so I can’t confirm the projectile vomiting, but I do know the EMT had to come and take him away due to consumption of too much […]?
At any conference, partying is a given. But so is getting work done. So stay away from the Rager if you want to get work done.
How to Deal
It seems to me the best way to avoid these kind of people is be kind, but keep the conversation to superficial. Then you eventually cut the line and walk away.
Also, don’t divulge too much stuff about yourself, as it only gives them more information to exploit you while wasting your time.
And if worse comes to worse, look at your watch and tell them you’re running late for a meeting.
Photos by kevindooley.
Antwain Conner
Soul suckers…lol. Yeah those types listed can definitely deflate you if you let them.