You want to advance your career. How can you build strong professional relationships?

1 Start with yourself

Before you reach out to others, you need to have a clear idea of who you are, what you want, and what you can offer. This will help you identify your goals, values, strengths, and areas of improvement. It will also help you communicate effectively and confidently with others. To start with yourself, you can do some self-reflection exercises, such as writing down your achievements, challenges, interests, and aspirations. You can also ask for feedback from people you trust, such as your manager, mentor, or friend.

2 Connect with purpose

Once you have a clear sense of yourself, you can start connecting with others who share your goals, values, interests, or challenges. You can find them in various places, such as your workplace, online platforms, professional associations, events, or courses. When you connect with someone, you should have a purpose in mind, such as learning something, offering help, seeking advice, or collaborating on a project. You should also be respectful, polite, and genuine. Don't just send a generic message or request. Instead, personalize your communication and show interest in the other person.

3 Follow up and follow through

After you connect with someone, you need to follow up and follow through. This means that you should keep in touch with them regularly, update them on your progress, thank them for their help, and provide feedback. You should also honor your commitments, deliver on your promises, and respect your deadlines. By following up and following through, you show that you are reliable, trustworthy, and professional. You also build rapport and trust with the other person, which can lead to more opportunities and collaboration.

4 Give and take

Another important aspect of building professional relationships is to balance giving and taking. This means that you should not only ask for help, but also offer help. You should not only receive feedback, but also give feedback. You should not only benefit from others, but also contribute to others. By giving and taking, you create a mutually beneficial relationship that is based on value, respect, and reciprocity. You also demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and generosity, which can enhance your reputation and influence.

5 Be open and adaptable

Finally, you should be open and adaptable when building professional relationships. This means that you should be willing to learn new things, try new approaches, and embrace new challenges. You should also be flexible, respectful, and supportive of different perspectives, opinions, and styles. By being open and adaptable, you show that you are curious, creative, and collaborative. You also expand your horizons, discover new possibilities, and overcome obstacles.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?