What Would You Do To Move Up?

Let’s face it, now more than ever office professionals are looking to maximize their time at the workplace, and that means spending less corporate social time with colleagues who can do nothing for them. It’s a sad reality of our times, but a reality nonetheless. With this tough economic environment where so many are looking for so few jobs and promotions, knowing and being liked by the right person can determine the direction of one’s career path.

Office professionals looking to move up in the company are targeting those who are in a position to help them out. Networking, of course, is important to any career. But these days make utilizing one’s workplace socializing skills an imperative ability. This article explains, “In the past, having lunch with the colleagues you worked most closely with was normal. But now, you’re lucky if anyone in the office can spend time with you during work hours. Because employees in survival mode focus specifically on people who can salvage their jobs and careers, socializing is infrequent and relationships are fading.”

As with any relationship, however, the key is sincerity. Everyone likes to be liked for who they are, and not only for what they can do for other people. So office professionals should keep in mind that when “playing the game” and doing their best to network with others, nobody appreciates brownnosers or those bent on manipulating others for their personal gain. So learn to talk to people as people. You never know who will be successful in life, and that’s why you should treat everyone with respect and humanity. You can’t go wrong by treating everyone the same, as long as you treat everyone with reverence.

Image courtesy of Mykl Roventine.