Strategies for Developing Professional Relationships

Suppose you know the difference between cultivating a relationship and leveraging a relationship. In that case, you’ll want to think through strategies to grow and stabilize these relationships so that it won’t come as a surprise if you ask for something and folks are standing at your door to help you.?The concept of mutuality is helpful in both growing and maintaining relationships.?Mutuality is the state of having common interests directed at each other or the others.?

Essentially, people find ways to alternate their roles in professional connections with an effortless ebb and flow to the relationship.

This concept can be challenging for folks at more junior levels or who feel less power for other reasons.?However, each of us brings value in one way or another to the world.?It is about finding that commonality and actively directing it towards others.?Most relationships in a professional setting start for one of four reasons.

·??????Working smarter is one of the best techniques for professional networking.?It is about learning from the other person and that person learning from you.?In this scenario, you’ll want to identify skills and knowledge that you want to expand.

·??????Career Exploration is an effective way to reach new colleagues and reach out to past colleagues to explore new options.?In this scenario, if done correctly, your contact feels appreciated and valued for the knowledge they bring.

·??????Getting a New Job is tricky to navigate and is best used with established relationships; however, if done correctly, it can also be used in cultivating relationships.

·??????Getting a promotion is the most complex reason to navigate and requires an established relationship to be successful.

Here are five strategies for mutuality to establish a new relationship based on working smarter and career exploration.

1.??????Everyone is interested in working smarter.?Reach out to a new contact about mutual skillsets or knowledge you need to do your job.?Ask them how they use it and offer your thoughts.

2.??????Recognition and appreciation are always welcome!?Reach out to new contacts with a note of congratulations on a new role, and then express your interest in learning more about the position.

3.??????Join groups on professional networking sites like LinkedIn.?Ask questions, attend events, and post content relevant to others.?

4.??????Join professional associations and join committees to develop relationships specific to your area of expertise.?This strategy allows you to offer your service and connect with like-minded folks.

5.??????Finally, say yes to the informational interview requested of you.?You’ll be able to discover opportunities for mutuality by giving first.

You’ll find the concept of mutuality helpful to think of it as a balance in the relationship. Who is initiating, and who is responding??When you find that balance in your relationships, you are ready to make requests that feel good to you both.?According to Susan McPherson, it is the joy of meeting others or JOMO.

I’m going to explore the reasons for establishing connections in future posts.?What questions do you have???