Making Friends and Building Networks, More Similar than they seem!
Our last few blog posts have focused on viewing networking in a different light. From understanding that your network is likely much bigger than you previously thought to considering how your networking outcomes might change with a new perspective.
There are so many positives to meeting new people in your professional life. They can help you generate new perspectives and new ideas, gain more knowledge about your industry, and solicit diverse and influential advice. These are only some of the benefits we’ve talked about – there are so many more.
Now, we’re focusing on friendship and how, maybe, networking might not seem as daunting if you approach it as a way to make new friends!
It has been shown that friendships are crucial to well-being and a person’s longevity. Especially when moving to a new place, making friends helps you adjust to your new home, connect you more deeply to the place, and help you feel a sense of belonging in the community. A study of people in 12 different countries around the world proves that people make friends for support, socializing, and shared traits. Friendship is a two-way street and most people don’t make friends for self-serving purposes.
That said, it can be difficult to make friends as an adult because you have to find people who share your interests and values – they aren’t just automatically seated next to you in school or extracurricular activities and you don’t have a shared history with your peers as you did when you were younger.
Consider that when you attend professional development activities like conferences, networking events or panel discussions for your industry or interests, you have put yourself in a room with people who share at least one passion or interest of yours. You can use this moment to open new conversations, ask questions, and really get to know new people.
The work culture and hierarchy in Canada is fairly flat – meaning it possible to approach colleagues and strike up a conversation. It is totally acceptable to have deep conversations with your boss or supervisors, and sometimes even be friendly with them. You don’t have to keep your colleagues at arms length or be super formal with those above you in the company hierarchy. There is an opportunity for you to make genuine connections and friendships at work or within your industry. Be yourself and develop stronger ties with people you connect with, regardless of where you meet them.
In our next blog, we’ll give you strategies of how to get up the courage to do exactly this. For now, why not strike up a conversation, let your guard down, and ask someone a question that isn’t explicitly work related? You won’t know until you try. Maybe a great friend is just waiting to be discovered.
