No matter where you are in your professional life seek opportunities to build meaningful relationships with others. It’ll be a boon to both your career and your well-being. Here are some ways you can develop professional (and personal) relationships with other people:
Go to things that really interest you.
Don’t get caught up in attending events you’re feeling lukewarm about. Spend your time engaging in activities that really excite and fascinate you. It’ll feel less like an obligation and you’ll improve your chances of meeting people with common interests.
Don’t network.
Sounds weird, doesn’t it? But by adopting this motto, you’ll actually end up with more meaningful interactions with other people. Listen when you’re talking to people, reach out if you can help them reach their goals.
Make yourself approachable.
Expect to talk to people. Willingly engage with others. Smile often, listen when people talk to you and ask questions. Have a few lines prepared that sum up your professional background. Demonstrate your communication skills.
Dress Comfortably.
There’s nothing worse than putting yourself out there to meet new people, only to be adjusting, scratching, or squirming the whole time because of an ill-fitting wardrobe choice. Whatever the type of event you’re attending wear something that fits comfortably.
Don’t drink too much.
If you’re looking for the quickest way to not be taken seriously than by all means, drink up.
Stay up on current events.
Go online, read the newspaper or scope out some blogs so you have a sense of what’s going on in the world (or better yet, your industry), so that if the conversation starts to lag you can re-energize it with a new topic.
Do you have any tips for connecting with others? Share them in the comments below.
Image: The Tax Haven