How can you build professional relationships with people outside your industry?

Establishing common ground is essential to developing relationships with individuals from different industries. Connecting with professionals from various sectors can be achieved through bilateral issues, collaborative teamwork, and recognition of shared interests. You can connect with people from multiple backgrounds by participating in knowledge exchange, attending events that aren't specific to your sector, joining networking groups that cover various industries, accepting diversity, and being open-minded. Acknowledging shared knowledge and opinions can create opportunities for mutual learning and development.

Sometimes the best relationships are the ones from outside your immediate circle. Common interests are what bind people together, as also respect for what the other person does. Social media, clubs and organizations for social causes, debate and public speaking forums, groups created for professionals like healthcare bring people from diverse professions under one roof! Communication modes these days have broken barriers and made access much easier. I have more friends abroad than I have locally :)! Cross functional, cultural communication is also important to forge ties with like minded people. Avoid being judgmental and promote healthy curiosity. Capitalize on networking opportunities, offer value and support where you can.

Building professional relationships outside your industry can be valuable for diverse perspectives, new opportunities, and a broader network. Here's how you can do it : 1. Attend Diverse Events: Join cross-industry events and workshops. 2. Engage on Social Media: Connect and interact with professionals from varied fields. 3. Collaborate and Share Knowledge: Offer insights, collaborate on projects, and learn from each other. 4. Seek Common Ground: Find shared goals or interests for collaboration. 5. Stay Connected: Follow up and maintain relationships through ongoing communication.

With note to the nature of humans , all of us need to build strong relationships with individuals who can help us to learn from their experience, open up new opportunities,spending time & hang out with them.No matter what's the field of their activities , relationship can find its proper way to find common points.

Learning is very key to find various common grounds with different diverse communities of different cultures because learning comes with paying attention, being respectful and a display of various positive attributes that sends good signals to the other person engaging with Learning on its own remains one of the powerful tools to find common ground especially with people one is not familiar with

You will need to show genuine interest in the discussion. It's important to ask thoughtful questions, listen attentively, and respect different points of view without presumptions or prejudices. Engaging in conversations with curiosity and interest can help you learn more about the other person's work sector and make the discussion more meaningful and exciting. Through acknowledging diverse perspectives and cultivating mutual respect, you can develop a collaborative approach that benefits both parties. So, don't miss the chance to learn something insightful and enhance your professional knowledge. Start showing genuine interest in the discussion today!

Being curious and respectful involves showing genuine interest without invading others' privacy. In the corporate environment, engaging in inclusive discussions, valuing diverse perspectives, and acknowledging others' contributions are fundamental practices. Communication skills like empathy and understanding are crucial, along with the ability to maintain confidentiality when appropriate. Soft skills such as genuine curiosity, respect for individual differences, and ethical conduct are essential in establishing constructive relationships without overstepping boundaries, strengthening trust and collaboration. These actions promote a healthy environment and encourage cooperation within teams.

Ser curioso y respetuoso es esencial para fortalecer relaciones profesionales. Demostrar interés genuino en la experiencia y perspectiva de otra persona a través de preguntas abiertas y escucha activa no solo muestra respeto, sino también un deseo de aprender. Reconocer sus logros y desafíos y buscar su consejo o perspectiva en temas mutuamente relevantes refuerza el valor que le das a su conocimiento y experiencia. Esta actitud fomenta un intercambio enriquecedor y una relación de mutuo respeto y aprendizaje.

Being curious and respectful towards others’ industries is key. It involves engaging in meaningful conversations, where active listening and open-ended questions allow us to delve into their expertise. This approach not only demonstrates respect and an eagerness to learn but also enriches our understanding, providing valuable insights that can be applied within our own industry contexts.

Some time ago, I was asked to participate to a sales convention. It's amazing what you can learn when you sit at the other side. And it goes both ways. But not to close, otherwise sales will know all our procurement secrets ;-)

Following up determines the quality of the value as well as areas that seeks to be supported Skills to do follow up correctly needs to be identified because if the follow up is shallow, value and support won’t be of quality to extract with precision whats required from a support and value requirement

Offering value and support means providing a substantial and sustained contribution, going beyond superficial gestures. Corporate practices involve interdepartmental mentorship and collaboration in multifunctional projects to provide enduring support. Skills such as empathy, active listening, and understanding others' needs are crucial for genuine support. Soft skills like flexibility, patience, and commitment are vital for maintaining significant relationships, demonstrating real interest in colleagues' success and well-being. This approach, based on robust practices and skills, ensures substantial and continuous support, building valuable professional connections beyond sector boundaries.

Ofrecer valor y apoyo es fundamental para construir relaciones profesionales sólidas. Compartir tus conocimientos, habilidades, recursos o contactos que puedan beneficiar a la otra persona demuestra tu compromiso con su éxito. Además, hacer seguimiento y mostrar aprecio refuerza la confianza y credibilidad en la relación. Estas acciones crean un vínculo de colaboración mutua, donde ambas partes se sienten valoradas y apoyadas, lo que es esencial para relaciones duraderas y beneficiosas.

Offering value and support in professional relationships involves more than just exchange of services; it’s about contributing insights, sharing resources, and providing genuine support. This can be through knowledge sharing, connecting them with relevant contacts, or simply being a reliable touchpoint for advice. Such actions build trust, establish our credibility, and create mutually beneficial relationships that extend beyond transactional interactions.

Offering value and support is key in establishing professional relationships outside your industry. Share your knowledge, skills, resources, or contacts that could assist them in achieving their goals or addressing challenges. Demonstrate support by following up, checking in, and expressing appreciation. This approach helps in building trust and credibility, paving the way for a mutually beneficial relationship. Remember, genuine support and the willingness to provide value are often reciprocated, strengthening the bond and expanding your professional network.

Developing professional connections with people outside your industry can help you diversify your network and see things from different angles. You can connect with professionals in various fields by using social media platforms like LinkedIn, among many others. You can also develop relationships by asking for recommendations and introductions, volunteering, sharing knowledge, and maintaining an open mind and passion. You can network with professionals from many backgrounds and learn new perspectives by participating in articles and lending your understanding.

Utilising social media and online platforms involves proactive and relevant networking while upholding professionalism. Effective corporate practices encompass active engagement in professional groups and sharing pertinent content. Essential skills encompass the ability to sift through information, generate authentic content, and interact respectfully. Crucial soft skills involve virtual empathy, clear communication, and effective online time management, fostering meaningful connections and circumventing superficiality. This strategic approach cultivates robust relationships, delivering valuable contributions while maintaining a professional online environment. It's vital to balance personal engagement ensuring authenticity.

Leveraging social media and online platforms is a strategic approach to broadening our professional network. These platforms enable us to showcase our expertise and engage with a diverse audience. By actively participating in discussions, sharing content, and connecting with individuals who share our interests, we can create meaningful connections that transcend our immediate professional circles.

Perfect example is not being active on LinkedIn to build towards fruitful engagements won’t really yield returns as this process takes time to build the trust and of course to start exchanging information with other experts globally A profile that’s credible and trusted triggers a lot of progressive engagements with others globally

The power of networking right there Life of today networking has become a lifestyle for various areas, there’s basically communities that communicate regularly, on the common interests they share to advance the common subject of interest in order for better solutions and information to be shared for convenience - as the passion is elevated with continued motivation for a define course of common interest Someone said “your network is your net worth” and I say “your healthiness is from a healthy network with a healthy net worth which will ultimately lead to wealth that’s healthy”

Being authentic and honest with oneself is crucial for creating genuine interest and trust. Establishing trust and generating meaningful conversations are facilitated by exhibiting interest in the work and experiences of individuals from different industries. It's essential to be consistent in your efforts since it shows your value and commitment to the relationship. Providing knowledge and assistance can improve the working relationship and make you a trustworthy and helpful professional. One way to enhance the likelihood of connecting with professionals from a broad range of industries is to participate in industry-neutral events and serve as a connector. Over time, trust is built on consistency and trustworthiness.

Consistent is the key! Nurturing a professional relationship is not a one time action. It is important that you consistently be in touch with your contacts, add value and offer support whenever needed. It's a matter of building trust and rapport to establish a professional relationship. It is important that you are in their mind as a go to person when a problem arises.

Consistent, authentic posts and shares does magic to one’s profile, it triggers a lot of interest from other authentic and consistent people as well as those that are on a journey to authenticity - most of the things that are not authentic are recognised and qualified by people that are authentic because the journey towards authenticity comes with a lot of lessons that highlights consistency as one of the outstanding attributes to authenticity hence authentic people appreciate other authentic people in most cases

Authenticity and consistency are the cornerstones of lasting professional relationships. It’s about being true to our values and transparent in our interactions. Consistent communication and following through on commitments reinforce our reliability. This approach fosters trust and rapport, laying the groundwork for relationships that are both meaningful and enduring.

When venturing beyond your industry borders, kick off conversations by unleashing your curiosity, weaving in shared challenges, or unleashing a mutual interest rocket ?? Be authentic and consistent, not because it's a buzzword, but because it's your golden ticket to building connections that transcend industries—making your professional network as diverse and fascinating as your favorite book collection!

In addition to the already explained concepts, one important step is to deepen as we can our knowledge of the “external industry”, the external reality (which is not ours reality). Be confident with it will help us to change prospective, enter in empathy with the external potential new collaborator and identify common opportunities. Also attending events related to the industry and linked to the people we want build a relation with could be interesting and enriching the relationship itself, our knowledge and the opportunities.

An open mind towards each other’s customs and habits is indispensable. In leadership, as anywhere else, it is all about balance and harmony. European managers are strong in risk management and less apt in consultation. European leaders focus on the individual, they delegate, listen to their employees and share responsibility. Sometimes this is enjoyable, and sometimes it is ineffective. On the other hand, paternalism and authoritarian behaviour would lead to conflict. However, we can learn much from the power of the Chinese visionary and guiding leadership . If the manager of the future originates from the orient, he or she is a manager with eye for the society he or she lives in.

In addition to the strategies mentioned, it's crucial to show initiative by actively seeking opportunities to interact with colleagues from other departments. Involvement in interdisciplinary projects or multifunctional workgroups expands the possibilities for contact and collaboration. Organising informal events such as lunches or coffees facilitates an environment conducive to exchanging ideas. Furthermore, offering assistance and sharing knowledge can demonstrate genuine interest and solidify professional relationships outside your own department. This proactive approach demonstrates a commitment to the collective growth of the company, strengthening connections beyond departmental boundaries.

From my experience, you can never tell how it will connect now or in the future. Always attend a networking event without the fear of who you will meet. I have stopped giving out name cards, and rather connect with them over LinkedIn or WeChat.