It doesn’t matter how good you are at your work, if you’re not able to gain trust and influence others, you’re unlikely to advance. Having strong connections with various stakeholders makes work easier, more pleasant and efficient.
How can I develop a relationship with a new colleague?
Introductions
Don’t be shy. If someone new joins your team or you’re new, make the first move. Let others know who you are and the ways you can support them in their work.
Relationships take time
Don’t expect too much right away and focus on creating a strong foundation. Get to know each other gradually and work on building trust by starting small.
Sharing ideas and reflecting mutual benefit
To start your relationship off on the right foot, focus on sharing ideas and consider how you can bring value to the other person, not just what you may gain. You can help each other brainstorm ideas such as how to better manage your time or resources.
How do I communicate better across generations?
It’s common for as many as four generations to be brought together in the workplace. There may be different levels of comfort with certain communication technologies, the frequency of communication, or the level of directness involved. Understanding these differences is important to uncover the best way to work with each colleague.
Discuss how you each prefer to communicate upfront, align the expectations, and adjust your communication styles where possible. Align on the expected timeframe to respond to emails, messages, or to review documents. It’s also good to be aware that people in different generations have varying comfort levels when it comes to giving and receiving direct feedback
“What worked in the past may not be a viable solution in today’s context. Be aware of how actions may play out in the current work environment rather than defaulting to ways it’s always been done.”
Guy Beaudin
Leadership Development Expert, RHR International
How can I keep conversations on track?
A useful approach for opening conversations in the workplace is to use the IEEI framework:
"We’re here to…” State the purpose of your conversation and any action items. |
“This is valuable because…” Identify the importance of the conversation to help everyone stay focused. |
"You can contribute by…” Let others know how they can help. |
“What do you think?” Engage the participants and invite them to give feedback. |
How do I raise my likability and build rapport?
While likability is subjective, author Michelle Tillis Lederman coined the 11 laws of likability that summarize characteristics that are universally associated with being liked. Demonstrating these qualities will make it easier to build rapport with your colleagues.
The 11 Laws of likabilityAuthenticity: Be true to yourself and ensure your actions and interactions with others are courteous, courageous, and based in integrity. |
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