Networking Doesn’t Have to Be Scary—Bob Burg’s Simple Approach Makes It Easy!

I’ve never been one for networking. As a generally shy person, I’ve always joked that I’m great with one or two people, but three or more feels like an angry crowd! Small talk has never been my strong suit, and cocktail parties? Well, those are pretty much my worst nightmare. For the longest time, the idea of networking sounded like pure torture.

 That was the case until I discovered Bob Burg. I didn’t meet him in person, but back in the good old days of Twitter (when it was actually decent), I stumbled across his work in the late ’90s. Bob is one of the friendliest and most approachable people I’ve encountered, and he has a gift for making networking feel natural and stress-free.

His approach is simple, practical, and incredibly effective. It’s called FORM, and it changed the way I think about meeting new people. His approach is practical, easy to remember, and—most importantly—actually enjoyable!

The FORM Method: A Natural Way to Connect

Bob Burg teaches a simple yet powerful technique called FORM, which takes the pressure off networking and turns it into a genuine conversation. Here’s how it works:

🔹 F – Family

Start by asking about the person’s family. People love talking about their loved ones—whether it’s their kids, spouse, siblings, or even their pets! This opens the door to a warm and personal connection.

🔹 O – Occupation

Next, ask about what they do for work. Instead of the usual “So, what do you do?” try a more engaging approach, like “What do you love most about your job?” or “How did you get into that field?” Showing genuine curiosity makes the conversation flow naturally.

🔹 R – Recreation

This is where things get fun! Ask about hobbies, favorite activities, or travel experiences. People light up when they talk about what they love doing in their free time, and this can lead to unexpected common interests.

🔹 M – Meaning

Finally, dig a little deeper. What matters most to them? What are they passionate about? What drives them? These types of questions bring conversations to a more authentic and memorable level.

Why FORM Works

Instead of feeling like you have to “sell yourself” or impress someone, FORM shifts the focus to genuinely getting to know the other person. When you ask open-ended questions and listen with real interest, connections happen effortlessly.

✨ No more awkward silences.

✨ No more forced small talk.

✨ Just real, meaningful conversations.

The best part? You don’t have to be an extrovert to be good at networking! Whether you’re at a formal event, a casual gathering, or even chatting with someone in line at a coffee shop, keeping FORM in mind makes every interaction feel natural.

With FORM, I no longer feel like I have to “network” in a forced or awkward way. Instead, I’ve learned to ask open-ended questions that people love answering. It’s amazing how quickly rapport can build when you approach conversations with genuine curiosity and care.

Now, when I meet new people, whether it’s at an event or in a casual setting, I just keep FORM in mind. Sometimes it leads to a meaningful friendship, and other times it becomes a great professional connection. Either way, it takes the stress out of networking and turns it into something enjoyable—and even rewarding.

So, if you’ve ever struggled with networking like I have, give Bob Burg’s FORM approach a try. You might just find it as transformative as I did!

Rhett Hatfield, Coaching and Training Services