9 hidden ways to build relationships at work
Only 14% of employees report feeling more confident when it comes to socializing with their colleagues. Though leaders can and should help every employee feel a sense of connection and belonging, you can also take control, as I learned from interviewing over 500 professionals across industries and job types.
Reply directly to people in emails and instant messages
Identify someone with a shared background to you and tell them, “I couldn’t help but notice you’re also ____,” followed by an offer to chat or at least look out for each other
- Do this whenever you are cc’ed or invited to an instant message group
Volunteer for cross-functional or cross-organizational projects
These are hidden opportunities to meet people across departments or even geographic locations, therefore serving as a conduit to individuals you would rarely make contact with.
Follow up after smaller group meetings
Each time you have a comment or question that you didn’t get a chance to raise in a meeting is a new opportunity for you to approach and spark a conversation with someone later, one-on-one.
- Know which follow-up to use, and when to use it
Introduce yourself to people you only met online
Make a list of colleagues you’ve only met over email, phone, or video chat and figure out where they sit. Then, approach them with a “just thought I’d introduce myself in person given that we’ve only ever met online!”
Follow up after town halls or group workshops
Hidden opportunities to meet people you wouldn’t have otherwise met
- Do your homework on a particular speaker you care to impress
- Ask a well-researched question to make a distinct impression
- Learn from the people you’re talking to
Send a cold email asking about someone’s work or career path
Scroll through your company’s internal directory and identify the people you’d like to work with, learn from, or simply have a conversation with.
Camp out in high-traffic areas
It can be tempting to grab that laptop and hide away in a cubicle, but this negates the value of being in the office in the first place.
- All it takes is someone to break the ice and encourage you to interact with others.
Engage with your assigned buddy
Ask for introductions
- Even if you don’t get along with your company-assigned mentor or “buddy,” they can be a gateway to meeting more people in the firm
- A simple ask like “Do you happen to know anyone who works at this company?” can spark a first connection
Join committees or working groups
Cross-company working groups can be a great way to meet people and have a common interest, experience, or identity to break the ice
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