QUESTION: The team does not seem to be interested in having a good working relationship.
REALTY: It might not see the benefits of a strong working relationship.
In one’s work life, one gets to form many relationships, but only a few last for life. As it is rather difficult to maintain each and every relationship, people normally maintain the ones that would be the most beneficial for them. Many relationships are short-lived because the benefit is restricted to a certain ‘‘time frame, such as, when one is working on a project. And not many of your colleagues will stay in touch with you after they leave the company.
Now, with the advent of social networking forums, it is possible to maintain several relationships, but these are used only occasionally when one needs help. A relationship flourishes when both parties see some value in maintaining it. You might develop a relationship with a person because he is very good in his area and can provide you with help when it matters the most; it might be that he is well connected in the industry and can update you on the latest trends; or that he has a knack for identifying risks and so is useful/ as a troubleshooter; or it might be as simple as the fact that you just feel good talking to him because of his conversational style or his sense of humour.
Then there are cases where a person wants to build a good working relationship with another, but is reluctant to do so. Tills might have to do with the person’s weak mindset where he feels .he would be judged as being in need. This sort of metal block doesn’t aid at all in forging new relationships. If you ,are really serious about starting a new relationship, then you would take the initiative and approach the person. Yes, some people do not open up in just one conversation session, but interactions over a period of time could lead to a strong work relationship.
Relationship-building at the workplace will be more meaningful if it takes place between two different job levels—between seniors i\nd juniors. And if you are a junior, you should make sure that you have done proper groundwork before approaching the senior; you should also be strong enough to ‘face any rejection.
If you want to build an effective network, relationships are, the key. When you have a large enough-network and a problem to solve, you can seek guidance, counsel and advice from multiple sources, and choose the best one to help you make the right judgment.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? As most people are busy with their own work, you need to be patient and persistent in seeking the right advice. If you display a genuine hunger to learn and act, then it will be difficult for people to say ‘no to any request for mentoring. Once a relationship is built, it is equally important to maintain it. While you don’t have to interact often to maintain a relationship, it’s important that you catch Lip once in a while. And you should never make the mistake of contacting people only when you are in need. That’s being selfish.
