It Pays to Have Connections
Succeeding in business takes more than just handling the job at hand. With few exceptions, you will be part of a team, and need to handle people as well. Strong connections with your co-workers can improve not only morale, but productivity, too. If you’re the new kid on the block, or even just realize that you’re not as connected to your coworkers as you should be, here are some tips to help build bonds – and business.
Make Casual Conversation – Even if you’re not that into sports, it pays to keep up with the local teams and big national events. Celebrating (or commiserating) over Saturday’s big game is a great way to start a conversation and instantly become part of the group.
Show Interest – And don’t just act interested; be interested. Whether people are showing you the trick to handling a touchy copy machine, or telling you about their family, be engaged. This means asking questions, making eye contact, and remembering details. People appreciate sincerity, whereas aloofness is a surefire way to get left out of not only fun office events, but maybe important meetings, too. Just remember to carefully walk that fine line between polite curiosity and getting too personal.
Make the First Move – Your colleagues may be perfectly nice, but they are also very busy, and used to the status quo. So instead of pouting about not getting that lunch invite, take the initiative and make the first move. Invite someone to eat, or even just to have coffee before work.
Be Positive – Work can be tough enough, so no one wants to spend their time with the office’s “Debbie Downer”. Mutually commiserating over the occasional rough project or management decision is fine, but if you’re the person who is always complaining about everything, you’ll find “being avoided” added to your list of daily gripes in a very short time.
Don’t Take Sides – In a new office, it can take a while to get the lay of the land, and figure out who has an agenda. Start out being friendly with everyone, and do your best to avoid being drawn into conflicts. The same is true for office gossip – while sharing (or even just listening to) a juicy morsel about a coworker can make you instantly feel “in”, the end result will be a perception that you are unkind and untrustworthy.
Look for Other Strays – Sometimes it’s hard to break in to established groups, even if they aren’t intentionally cliquish. So if you notice someone else who seems to be adrift, try reaching out. Sure, the person may turn out to be the office misfit, but then again – they might be just like you, looking to make connections.
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