Much like in the beautifully-crafted children’s book by Rosella Calauti, many of us have enjoyed the company of good, childhood friends in the past. Here…There…Everywhere!!! by Calauti shows us the value of good friendships and how they prepare us for life in the future. However, for many young teenagers around the globe, the making friends in the corporate world aspect of life after college becomes somewhat difficult, especially for certain people who are just starting out in their careers, fresh out of graduate school, and still adjusting to an new, unfamiliar and competitive working world.
These young people are introduced to a foreign and previously-unknown setting in which they may potentially associate with anyone from the leading minds of the industry, skillful professionals, or even newbies and newcomers just like themselves. In this challenging new environment, much of a person’s success can be attributed to the firmly well-woven connections that they have solidified throughout the course of their professional lives, and many of these influential and beneficial companions that they make on this path are usually like-minded friends who share similar goals and interests, who always learn from and motivate each other to strive for higher feats and accomplishments. It is true enough that opposites attract – but in the corporate network of similarly-thinking creatives and brilliant entrepreneurs, it’s much more accurate to see it otherwise – in the sense that birds of the same feather flock together.
It could be a considerably daunting or uncomfortable experience to integrate oneself into new and meaningful friendships in a corporate setting, especially if that particular person was not the best socializer or extrovert back in their schooling days. So, some may be stuck with a dilemma that they eventually find themselves self-asking – something along the lines of: “How do I make solid friendships as an adult in this industry? How do I make find and befriend people who think just like me?”
Now usually this is a highly-subjective and varying process, as people-skills vary from person to person – as do office settings, colleagues, work politics, and the attitudes and behaviors of our co-workers around us. However, there are a handful of tested and proven ways to achieve this proper connection with like-minded workers in any industry. These universal methods transcend fads and societal trends, as they are the basic and fundamental psychological components that facilitate improvement in one’s life through practicing effective social skills at work – a hallmark of future success wherever you work.
Here are a few ways to adapt to a new work environment and meet friends of the same vibe and frequency in the corporate world:
Avoid condemning or criticizing others
Constructive criticism is direct advice with the intention of influencing improvement, delivered in a positive light. On the other hand, complaining or condemning others, their work, or anything about them merely serves as a medium for nit-picking and pointless negativity. Instead, offer positive suggestions and avoid being a bully in general.
Be highly optimistic about the success of others
It’s truly inspiring to behold the degree of self-improvement in workers responding to the positive praise of approval and admiration as compared to the negative pull of criticism and ill-intended comparison.
Be particular with people’s names and titles
It’s not easy to recall everyone’s names, especially in the casual setting in which many employees and workers meet. However, it is important to remember how flattering it feels when others remember our names. The feeling is mutual and universal, so make sure to call people by their names when you can – it could brighten their day, and portray you in a good light.
Be honest in recognizing when you’ve slipped up
Mistakes can happen to the best of us, especially to people who are new to any particular industry of course. People tend to agree to you more and respond better when you accept your own faults immediately and take active measures to correct them. Being accountable for your own actions is a hallmark of professionalism and integrity.
Find common ground when you don’t see eye to eye with a colleague on a particular subject
Rather than attempting to win an argument with a co-worker, try digging deeper and analyzing different aspects of your differing conclusions, and persuade them that your thoughts align with theirs by highlighting the common ground by which you both stand. This is an integral key-factor in team-building and effective internal communication.
The Happy Hammock 