By: Halid Ayob

At the end of this session, my phone went flat! I used to think networking was about having the right thing to say.

Turns out, it’s more about learning how to really listen.

I had the privilege of attending a workshop with Dr. Azhar recently, and it flipped a few mental switches for me — not just about networking, but about how we show up in conversations in general.

He introduced something called the FROG framework — a simple guide to navigate those awkward moments we all feel when we meet someone new and don’t know what to say.

FROG = Family, Recreation, Occupation, General.

These are gentle, universal topics — easy entry points that spark connection without pressure:
• “What’s been keeping you busy these days?”
• “Had any time for fun lately?”
• “How’s the fam?”
• “Seen or read anything interesting lately?”

I’ve always found small talk… challenging.
My brain tends to overthink, scan for relevance, try to sound interesting.

But the FROG reminded me: it’s not about being interesting. It’s about being interested.

And then came the part that stuck with me the most — a moment I’m still thinking about.

Dr. Azhar ran a quick listening exercise. He roleplayed someone with a headache, just trying to describe how they were feeling.
We, the “listeners,” had one job: Be present.

No fixing. No jumping in with our own stories. No rushing to respond.
Just listen.

Simple in theory.
Harder in practice.

Because real listening takes more than ears — it takes intention.
It means slowing down long enough to hear what’s not being said.
It means resisting the urge to mentally load our next sentence while the other person is still mid-thought.

And when someone feels truly heard? You can feel the difference. The energy shifts. Trust begins to build.

That’s the heart of it, isn’t it?

Networking isn’t about working a room — it’s about creating space.
For someone to feel safe.
For someone to be seen.

As someone who’s often juggling work, family, side projects, and still figuring out how to show up as a better version of myself — this was a powerful reminder.

We don’t need clever lines.
We don’t need to over-engineer connection.

We just need to be present.

Thanks, Dr Azhar Ahmad for these learnings and the truth.

And thanks to Moonie Tan and Reginald Indarsin for organising this event! You both are awesome la!