The invisible patterns

Imagine going to an event and being given glasses powered by AI that classify people based on their temperament, allowing you to choose who to speak with. How crazy is that? Events are a great place to observe human behavioral psychology, as everyone is looking to create a great impression of themselves.

Somehow, as a neurodivergent individual, I feel like I have those glasses incorporated. I can see things almost nobody else notices. Here are my top five networker types. Men and women are the same unless specifically mentioned:

The Modest

This type is almost hiding, usually located at the back of the room, next to columns or in corners. They have a high interest in the content of the event and are not particularly interested in meeting new people. If they do engage in conversation, it won't flow much as their primary focus is on learning. They are likely rational types, often thin with sharp features. There can also be people in the same area who are insecure about some aspect of their physical appearance, making them easy to recognize.

The Winner at All Costs

They sit or stand at the front, often crossing their arms or leaning against a wall while listening. If seated, their legs are always wide open. They joke with colleagues, have hair styled with gel, and wear something attention-grabbing like a colorful jacket, socks, tie, or watch. They can be both great and annoying, with a huge self-esteem, sometimes too much. If they don't find you interesting, they will lose interest quickly and look elsewhere. They share traits with psychopaths, and many businesspeople at this level exhibit important traits of psychopathy. Women are similar but tend to be more modest and polite when exiting a conversation they find uninteresting.

My preferred method to end an uninteresting conversation: (Out of nowhere) - "Sorry, what was your name? I don't want to forget!" (George) - "Okay, great, George! I need to talk to that person over there. It was a pleasure to meet you, thanks."

The Corporate Only Truster

Always suited up and formal, they can be a bit boring if too attached to their 9-to-5 life but are always correct with a decent ratio of valuable conversations and genuine interest. They are compliant people. Don't expect any special discordance or a shoulder touch. They always sit or stand in the first rows but to the sides. They always have a boss and will explain how much they are in charge of things or all the victories at the beginning of the conversation. If you don't work for another big corporation, they won't listen to you unless you own it.

They usually introduce themselves with a strong name and title: "Hi! Megan Jackson, corporate partnerships at... [corp], nice to meet you." (while shaking your hand)

The Hustler

Always looking and analyzing who's there, they first try to find smiling people to connect with, making their presence known. Their look is usually business-like but upgraded to a real business owner who doesn't need to pretend. They are elegant, speak well, and usually make you feel good. They are constantly looking for allies and will do whatever it takes to get them on board. They are more interested in what you do than talking about themselves, aiming to create the best impact. They are often business owners and are always around, with no place to hide because they want it all. This type is surprisingly multifaceted, with broad knowledge about life and business.

The Interested

They are willing to listen to anything for long periods. They are there to learn and mingle with like-minded individuals. They have a lot of information but often haven't tested or implemented it themselves, making them the theory holders. They are polite, viewing others almost as heroes, and usually sit in the middle. Similar to the modest type, but they talk a lot and will ask for your opinion. These are the best to partner with for early-stage projects since they have the interest but need others to execute.

Conclusion

You see? Everyone has a place! If you have an event coming up, try to spot these types. It will immediately elevate your networking skills.

With this article, I wanted to bring you closer to what I see. You can't find this information anywhere; it is purely my words, my reality, and, as you know, I craft these profiles almost involuntarily because my brain does it before I even ask.

Would you be exhausted being in a neurodivergent brain for one day?

Thanks for reading!

Ramon

www.ramoncrespi.com / ramon@ramoncrespi.com