Connecting in the Workplace:
Breaking down Cube Walls and Building Strong Relationships to Promote Well-being.
As someone relatively new to the government workplace (1.5 years in), and even cubicle/office life at large, there are many things I am still trying to adjust to, and find myself grappling with on a pretty much daily basis. One big one for me, is the social aspect. Perhaps cube life comes naturally to some, but this certainly hasn’t been my experience to date. Here we are working everyday in relative close proximity to our colleagues, yet it can still feel very isolating. A day spent alone, stuck in your cube with minimal interactions can be tough and even anxiety-provoking and/or depressing; whereas a day where you connect with someone usually has you coming home with a smile and your face, and a nice memory of that warm exchange. This interaction may even overshadow some of the other not-so-great moments, or at the very least, balance out the day and make it more bearable.
Beyond what many of us may feel on an intuitive level, the importance of fostering solid workplace relationships has been steadily gaining attention in the field of workplace well-being. In fact, there is a growing body of research which demonstrates that meaningful relationships at work is one of the most important factors in promoting job satisfaction and overall well-being.
Invest in connecting with the people around you, and you invest in your own career and well-being. And who knows, you might just make a friend, or a dozen, along the way. -Aaron Hurst, Imperative CEO, c/o themuse
According to Aaron Hurst, a globally recognized social entrepreneur and CEO of Imperative, (a technology platform that enables people to discover, connect and act on what gives them purpose in their work), the more proactive you are at building meaningful relationships at work, the more you will benefit at both the personal and professional level. In a career advice article for themuse, Hurst describes 9 concrete ways that can help us establish genuine relationships at work. Below I’ve listed my top 5 picks, but I highly encourage you to check out Hurst’s article for more great ideas.
1. Track Names.
Hurst’s first recommendation is a great one. We meet so many people over the course of our careers, some of whom we may want to get to know better. So be sure to get those names; write them down! and maybe a few things you managed to learn about them too. Then, don’t be shy to be the first one to reach out! And for me, this approach tried-and-true; I met my closest work friend this way just a few months ago. I had seen her at a few meetings, and was so impressed and felt a real connection. So, I decided to just put myself out there; email her and tell her. Sure, it was a BIG risk, but I decided I had to just go for it. Turns out, my email meant a lot to her, and, in fact, it turned out we had even more in common; both being new and from Montreal. And that email is something we still talk about, because it was that single gesture that sparked a friendship that might otherwise never have happened.
2. Get Coffee. Then Get More Coffee.
A similar approach to #1 above, and also effective. Hurst suggests creating a list of people you’d like to get to know better, then setting up coffee with one person per day for a month. Not all of us may have that kind of time; but even coffee once a month with someone new, getting to know them and what they love about their work, can be a great way to build closer relationships. This can be particularly useful to those of us who are newer to the workplace. Hurst recommends footing the bill as well. Never hurts, and likely a worthy investment!
3. Be Present.
This is a great one too. Hurst recommends asking yourself: “What do my colleagues/managers/clients need from me today?” and then doing your best to make these things happen. For example, offering to head up a task, or supporting your co-worker who has too much on her plate.
Small gestures can cause big ripples.
Losing the phone is also a great way to be fully present at meetings and show respect for the people around you.
4. Be/Find a Mentor.
I have adjusted this one, as not only is it great to mentor someone (even peer to peer) and help them achieve their personal goals; but, if you are someone new, it is equally great to find someone who is willing to mentor you as well. I have very recently connected and am collaborating with an incredibly inspiring person who is at the executive level, and it is amazing how rewarding this connection is, given that we share a similar purpose and proactive approach to our work. To share frustrations with someone who’s been there, and to hear their experience and how they ultimately succeeded is so reassuring and really motivates you to keep at it.
Also, as a mentee, don’t be shy to ask for advice! As noted by Hurst, this also demonstrates you are someone worth investing in and are eager to learn.
5. Celebrate Others.
I really love this one. Find a way to publicly celebrate the work of someone else. Even just a comment in a meeting or an email to your team recognizing a colleague’s contribution, big or small, can help them feel appreciated. Furthermore, it can also inspire others to create a culture of support and positive feedback.
At the end of the day, making connections with others may not be an easy thing for all of us to do- and I speak from experience in this regard. However, being proactive in connecting and fostering relationships with our work colleagues can have both immediate pay-offs and additionally, be a great long-term investment in ourselves. And take it from someone who went out on a limb, and dared to take that risk: in reaching out to someone new, you also stand to gain something invaluable, a lifelong friendship; someone to support, and who will support you throughout the rest of your respective careers. So, what are you waiting for?! You’re only one small gesture away.
The Deputy Ministers Task Force on Public Sector Innovation, mandated to play an action-oriented role in experimenting with emerging tools and approaches, has identified workplace well-being as a key priority project for the Government of Canada Entrepreneurs. With the support of the Task Force, GC Entrepreneurs are exploring how technology-based solutions can be used to promote workplace well-being. Learn more
