9 hidden ways to build relationships at work

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

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.

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

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.

Engage with your assigned buddy

Ask for introductions

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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