I find ways to create professional relationships with people from many different parts of my organization.

Nope...

Steve was busy and loving the fact that he was getting a lot done, in fact at the pace he was going, he might even get ahead! Kanesha popped in to let him know others from the team were going to eat their lunch together outside and asked if he wanted to join them.  Steve frowned at her and said “Not today”.  Kanesha left abruptly.  Steve felt like he dodged a bullet.
 
  • Blind Spot:  Forming meaningful, professional relationships at work makes your expertise (and humanity) more visible than hard work ever could.
  • Hidden Habit:  Not being mindful about how your words may make others feel.

When it’s safe…         

Steve was busy and loving the fact that he was getting a lot done, in fact at the pace he was going, he might even get ahead! His friend and co-worker Dave popped in and asked if he wanted to grab lunch.  Steve figured he was at a good place to take a break, besides lunch with Dave would be quick and then he could get right back to it.
 
  • Blind Spot:  Building and maintaining professional relationships takes time, intention and is key to staying relevant to your co-workers and employer.
  • Hidden Habit:  Not balancing the emotional needs of people with your work, clearly indicating a preference for your work (even when others show they want to spend time with you).

For some things...

Steve was busy and loving the fact that he was getting a lot done, in fact at the pace he was going, he might even get ahead! His manager popped in to see if Steve was coming to the team lunch.  “Damn!”  Steve thought, he’d forgotten all about it.  Steve joined his team for lunch and had a surprisingly good time, learning more about his co-workers and sharing a few laughs.  When he got back to his desk, he felt surprisingly energized and was as productive after lunch as he had been before.
 
  • Blind Spot:  Meaningful connection with others, especially social connection, can be a consistent (if invisible) source of energy at work.
  • Hidden Habit:  Thinking of team events as optional by default and only attending the important ones if you have time (not intentionally planning for them in your day/week or only going because your manager asked you to).

A lot...

Steve was busy and loving the fact that he was getting a lot done, in fact at the pace he was going, he might even get ahead! But he hadn’t forgotten about the lunch plans he’d made as he’d invited those that he knew well on his team to eat lunch together with an acquaintance from another group that was piloting new software that could change the way they do business.  Not everyone came, but those who did enjoyed the lunch and being able to pick the brain of someone on the pilot project. For days afterwards the few team mates that had come expressed their thanks for the great session.
 
  • Blind Spot:  It’s a good start, but think strategically about your intentions, and how much they may benefit those beyond your known network (i.e., get outside of your comfort zone).
  • Hidden Habit:  Feeling like social interactions, and asking others to participate, is an imposition, so you keep things smaller than they really need to be.

Yes, always!

Steve was busy and loving the fact that he was getting a lot done, in fact at the pace he was going, he might even get ahead! But he hadn’t forgotten about the lunch plans he’d made as he’d invited his manager and his entire team to eat lunch together with another team that was piloting new software that could change the way they do business (he’d even booked a meeting room).  Everyone enjoyed the lunch and being able to learn more about the software and how it could support the work they do. For days afterwards his team mates were expressing their thanks for the great session.  Steve’s manager nominated him for a “kudo” award, expressing how beneficial that lunch had been as it would make integrating new software that much easier in the future.
 
  • Blind Spot:  Great managed risk!  While it can feel vulnerable to take the bull by the horns and pull people together, it’s a risk that pays rewards.  Balance becoming the team social convenor with creating value-add opportunities.
  • Hidden Habit:  It can get addicting to spend time with others, especially when it offers many rich opportunities to share.  Ensure you continue to keep your eye on what’s important for your role, balancing your work with effective networking.