Turn a Simple “Hi” into a Fruitful Relationship at Work

Building relationships at work is more complex than simply “putting yourself out there.” It takes real work. Start by breaking the silence. If you’re working in an office, try placing yourself in a high-traffic area, where you’re more likely to have impromptu conversations with colleagues from across the organization. Or, try showing up a few minutes early to meetings, using that informal time to chat and get to know people. Next, turn your acquaintances into allies by turning one-off conversations into a recurring rapport—following up on whatever you discussed or simply saying “Hi again!” in the hallway. Finally, get proactive about turning rapport into a relationship by scheduling time to chat or grabbing coffee. Eventually, you’ll find yourself benefiting from fruitful mentorships and peer relationships that could ultimately change the course of your career.