Whether you’ve just entered the workforce or you’ve been in it for 20 years, building great connections with your co-workers can help you further your career, overcome work challenges and get the best outcomes at work.

1. The top SIX ways to build
connections at work
and why you need to make them

2. Whether you’ve just entered the workforce or you’ve been in it for 20 years,
building great connections at work can help you succeed in more ways than one.
Here are six top tips
to get you started.

3. Walk out of
your office
It’s pretty easy to get bogged down in your work, but
it’s important to look around every now and again, and
take a walk out of your office to meet people in other
areas of the business. By doing this, you will get to know
more people and you might even learn something new
that will help you in your role.
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4. Listen
Whether you are sitting in a meeting, a brainstorming
session or talking to someone on the phone, actively
listening to people is essential. Not only will you show
the person talking that you value what they have to say,
but it will help to build solid connections.
Think of all the times you’ve phoned your friend and
they’re pretending to be interested in what you’re
talking about but you can tell they’re actually busy
looking at Facebook. It’s infuriating! Listening is a vital
communication skill, and will help you build better
workplace relationships.
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5. Sharing starts
with you
It’s okay to share information about your passions and interests, and doing so will
actually help you connect with colleagues on a deeper level. Make a start by telling
people a little more than you usually would when they ask about your weekend.
For example:
‘I had a lovely barbeque with my parents, watched the Wallabies lose to
New Zealand (what about that try) and went bush walking in the national park where
I fell in the creek.’
A description like that tells people that you spend time with your family, enjoy
the rugby and go for Australia, and that you are interested in walking and nature.
Through simple sharing like this, you may find you have something in common
with your colleague and can then build on that conversation and strengthen the
connection. One word of advice though, don’t overshare, and remember that
relationships take time to grow.
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6. Have some fun
Now, we’re not talking about doing practical jokes in the
office. What we’re suggesting is organising something
fun to do together outside of the office. You’ve worked
out what your co-workers are interested in after your
sharing, so get together socially a few times a year and
spend some time getting to know each other while
having fun.
Some ideas: play cricket, skirmish or have a picnic in the
park, go ten-pin bowling, go to a movie, or go out for a
drink or to dinner.
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7. Connect
in every
direction
It is critical to develop strong relationships with people
who are outside of your immediate team. Make an effort
to connect with people who are more senior than you
and those who are your junior. Also remember your
work clients and suppliers. And always acknowledge the
cleaner, the admin staff, security and the guy down the
hall that never leaves his desk.
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8. Be great
at your job
Ultimately, the best way to build your connections is to
build your reputation and be great at what you do. To
do this, don’t overpromise and under deliver. If you know
you won’t have time to do something then say no, and
explain why. Perhaps a new deadline can be negotiated.
By doing what you say you will and doing the best job
possible, your good reputation will spread throughout
your network.
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9. Why do you need
to do all this?
Because one day you’ll be looking to change jobs or get a promotion and who do you
think will be some of the best placed people to help you? The people you work with!
Having solid connections between co-workers can also play an integral part in
overcoming challenges and getting the best outcomes from the team.
It’s fantastic to have great connections at work to make your working life
easier and more rewarding, and you just might learn something new!

10. CRICOS: QLD00244B NSW02225M TEQSA: PRV12081 29.5.5 11.2016 Graphics © Shutterstock
social.usq.edu.au
Building great connections can help you
succeed at work and in life in more ways than one.
By investing in your network you can progress your
career and potentially do the same for someone else!
Do you want to improve your networking game?
Here are some top tips on how to do it like a pro.
To find out more about progressing your career, contact
our Career Development Team at Student Services.