The 411 on professional social interaction

By Brian Maynor

 

As humans we crave and on a basic level need social interaction to survive, but building and navigating social connections at work isn’t always easy.

We all know the extremes; the extroverts that say hello and converse easily with everyone and the introverts who avoid eye contact and interaction of any kind, but most of us fall somewhere in the middle.

Here are a few insights to evaluate your current office behavior and tips on tweaking it to do a better job establishing social connections with your colleagues:

1.    Avoidance Behavior. Often mistaken as indifference, it’s pretty well founded that avoidance behavior is a mask for fear and insecurity. These are two of the most common office avoidance behaviors:

a.   Looking at your phone while entering or leaving a meeting. By appearing busily responding to an email you are actually avoiding all interaction with those around you, and

b.   Eating lunch at your desk. Whether you have a small break room or a large cafeteria, by choosing to remain isolated at your desk you avoid interacting with your peers and the all-to-terrifying high school conundrum of finding a place to sit.

2.    Start small. You don’t have to say hello to everyone you pass in the hall, or attend a meeting with, but you should say hello to a few people. And by that I literally mean make eye contact, smile and say hello with a small nod. That’s it. You can do it as you’re sitting down. This will help build your reputation because that person will feel favorably toward you and speak positively about you to their friends.

3.    Develop relationships organically. One of the best ways to engage someone is to ask questions. Whether it’s about weekend plans or the newest work initiative by asking questions you create a shared connection that is safe. Regardless of how comfortable you are sharing personal details, it’s always easy to talk about work.

4.    Keep it authentic. The goal of building social connections is to make your work life easier, which won’t happen if you aren’t authentic. Having work friends makes your days pass quicker and offer support, but actual and emotional, but the second you start exaggerating or ‘faking it’ you loose creditability. And let’s be honest, we can spot a faker a mile away.

 

Work relationships serve a purpose and can be very different from social ones and that’s perfectly okay. That doesn’t mean they are any less valuable.   Simply because you don’t want to share personal details about your life at work doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself and avoid social interactions all together. We need people and uncomfortable experiences to grow, so bite the bullet and say hello to someone you don’t know.

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 

 

 

 

I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

 

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.

 

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