Making Personal Connections at Work is as Important as Ever

When it comes to overcoming challenges and finding success, genuine connections in the workplace that delve deeper than business chatter are essential. Even with new, innovative technologies and business networking platforms in place, developing personal connections with colleagues, clients and managers is still the important stepping stone to a successful career that it has always been.

Turning superficial work relationships into personal connections helps colleagues to work more cohesively, which in turn helps them to raise their productivity. According to Entrepreneur Magazine, opening up to co-workers and sharing your personal passions and motivations encourages others to do the same, creating a hospitable work environment where workers feel more free to be themselves. When they do not have to put on a "work mask" to avoid looking unprofessional, they feel more comfortable and are able to express their opinions more openly in the workplace. Personal connections also help to build a sense of trust and dependability, according to the magazine Chief Learning Officer.

Additionally, the old piece of wisdom that getting a job is about who you know is just as true as ever. According to J.T. O'Donnell, president of the website Careerealism, developing a connection with employees and hiring managers on a level that generates trust is more important than any number of shallow business connections. If you are applying for a position, a referral or recommendation from a trusted colleague could mean the difference between landing the job and staying where you are. Gallup Business Journal states that 70 percent of job seekers use referrals from current company employees in their job search. Job seekers rate these connections as more important than job fairs, job advertisements and even referrals from friends and family.

When you spend a fair amount of time working with the same people, developing shallow connections is inevitable. However, digging beneath the surface to develop deeper, personal connections requires considerable effort. Chief Learning Officer cites some of the best ways to develop personal connections as listening well, showing genuine interest and making a conscious effort to work well with others. Another great way to build trust is to catch someone doing a task well and praising their efforts. You can also share aspects of your personal life including hobbies, family and travel to make yourself vulnerable to your colleagues, thus generating mutual trust. These methods can be effectively employed by both employees and managers.

Invest yourself in your relationships at work, and remember that you may need to lead the initiative by striking up conversations or organizing a casual outing for the people on your team. When you turn your work relationships into more personal connections, you are sure to enjoy your job more while simultaneously setting yourself on the path to greater success.

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