The pandemic era has had many long-term ramifications that continue to impact our daily lives today. Some of these, such as the future of remote work and healthcare inequalities, are still discussed daily, while others, such as the role of global governance in preventing future pandemics, are relegated to more focused groups. The private social club–and its role in modern society–nearly became a casualty of the pandemic due to an understandable wariness about the potential long-term risks of in-person networking, but the past year has shown that these venues are experiencing a resurgence due to the irreplaceable nature of face-to-face interaction.
The rationale behind this wariness is akin to that of the remote working model; that is, the same functions can be served from behind a screen. While many of us eventually convinced ourselves that this was indeed the case, the truth that eventually emerged demonstrated that there is simply no substitute for face-to-face interactions. Where private social clubs and remote work differ is in their desired outcomes: the former is aimed at networking and sharing in a human connection, while the latter–though varied between industries–is ultimately to deliver a product of some kind. Regarding the question of whether or not text- and video-based exchanges can be as effective as in-person networking, however, the resurgence of private social clubs throughout the country is your answer.
Setting a Stage
Sociologists could–and have–written and spoken at length about the value of human interaction, so we won’t bore you with those mountains of scientific research. Instead, we’ll discuss how clubs such as The Union Club, The Metropolitan Club, The Yale Club, and The Aman, offer locales that play just as critical a role in the networking experience. To start with, these venues are status symbols in and of themselves, with memberships that can be highly exclusive and curated. This creates environments in which members realize that they are among similarly minded professionals who share the same drive, motivations, and dedication to their respective industries. Not only is this crucial for establishing trust and rapport it also helps to develop an understanding of one another before a single word is spoken.
This unspoken understanding of one another is not limited to strictly networking events, either. Private social clubs are a haven for prominent industry leaders, decision-makers, and influencers on a daily basis, and therefore offer unparalleled opportunities for unexpected encounters. Through membership at these clubs, a person places themselves in an environment where their chances of making a career-defining connection improve dramatically, in some cases resulting in partnerships that can propel their careers or businesses forward. These opportunities for growth cannot be overstated, and while they are not impossible in a standard networking setting, they undoubtedly arise more frequently in a private social club.
Networking with the Masters
Of course, this is not to speak ill of networking events and programming, either. Private social clubs have their fair share of networking programs but with the benefit of being carefully curated for a much more defined audience that has built-in incentives for attending. These events boost the chances of the serendipitous encounters mentioned earlier even higher while providing extremely high-level information from industry experts who understand that they are addressing an audience that understands the basics. In addition to the opportunities to meet thought leaders in various fields and remain up to date with unparalleled access to industry insights and expertise, the shared experience and common ground present at a private social club’s networking event is simply in a tier of its own.
One of the most significant advantages of membership at one of these venues is not just that common ground, however; rather, it is the length of time that common ground is shared. At a networking event, attendees share common ground for a few hours at best, while at a private social club, those same relationships can last months or years. This allows for a more organic build-up of trust and rapport, throughout which members will often engage in club activities together, and meaningful conversations, and generally help each other through both professional and at times personal obstacles. The power of a relationship fostered at a private social club is second to none, and the sense of community that this creates can move careers and industries forward.
Can’t Beat the Classics
None of these factors are possible, nor can they be emulated, from a one-off networking seminar. Try as we might, they are not easy to replicate from behind a screen either. The return of the private social club was an inevitability, and when it comes to fostering genuine connections and building meaningful relationships, the power of the private social club remains unparalleled. This is stoking the fire of their enduring appeal nationwide, and their recent resurgence after the pandemic proves that while circumstances may require adaptation, we will always return to what works best.
