This week, we’re discussing the importance of charisma in the workplace. While it may seem superficial to some, being generally well liked is a key component to advancing your career and maintaining office relations. Combined with a solid work ethic and valuable contributions, a keen sense of networking can be the key to fulfilling your career aspirations.
Though it may seem simple, the art of schmoozing far exceeds traditional brown-nosing, elbow-rubbing, or any other euphemism you’d prefer. We’re here to give you the inside scoop on charisma, how to get in good with your coworkers and superiors, and most importantly, how to feel natural doing it. Here’s the run down on some networking basics:
1. Confidence: When you’re sure of yourself, your peers will begin to notice and feel more comfortable around you as a result. A strong sense of purpose behind your words and actions will persuade others into the mindset that you’re a competent leader, which will help you gain both trust and respect. When you’re having a conversation with a coworker, it’s important
2. Humility: Maintaining a balance between confidence and deference is the most difficult part of networking, but you can easily achieve it by reminding yourself of your inter-office status. AS far as most hierarchies go, twenty somethings are near the bottom of the workplace totem pole, with upper-level professionals usually in their 30s and 40s. Respecting your authority figures will get you a long way, and reminding yourself of your place in the office will keep your ego under control. Confident deference is the key: know your place, and know it well.
3. Don’t take yourself too seriously: Knowing when to poke fun at yourself is a key aspect of the schmoozing game. While you should normally maintain a strong sense of self, you should also be aware that you’re still human. Say you make 50 copies of the wrong memo for a meeting that’s scheduled later that day. You’ll look much better taking the mistake in stride and casually laughing about it than a) beating yourself up, b) pretending you did nothing wrong, or c) overcompensating with excessive apologizing.
What other aspects of schmoozing do you think are integral to career advancement? Do you think networking is a useful tool in giving yourself a competitive edge?
Great site. A lot of useful information here. I’m sending it to some friends!
I am a big fan of using humor in the office. Keeping things professional while at the same time fun should not be a strain because in the end, employees that are happy and less stress out produce better quality work and are easier to work with than their counterpart.
Networking is useful, and so is being polite in a professional manner. However, make sure to not come on too strong, otherwise the sincerity of your actions will be questioned.
I think knowing how to handle conflicts is also very important. Not only does this eliminate conflicts, but it also shows that you can take charge of situations that have gone wrong or that you can own up to your own mistakes in a way that doesn’t cause any unnecessary anger.
Networking is definitely useful. Besides having more friends and more people to chat with in and out of the office, connections are always good to have.