CEOs are relational 

No matter the stage at which you are in your career, maintaining sustainable relationships is advantageous to your career development. As much as it may sound clichéd, your network of relationships within and outside the workplace is vital for your career growth and if not well managed, it can make or break your career. 

It takes more than technical skills 

Your career is a fusion of multiple factors. Most young professionals focus on becoming subject matter experts, forgetting to pay attention to honing relationships along the way. This oversight often leads to workplace conflicts and resentment, as some staff members feel overlooked for promotions, postings or other similar advancements. The world of work has changed, and the ability to relate intelligently with yourself and others is one of the key employability skills employers look at. Sound relationships in the workplace are not just beneficial professionally but also socially. It all starts with developing your awareness of how well you interact with and relate to others, i.e. interpersonal skills. Your words are a reflection of your nature; be attentive to what you say as it may give a wrong impression of who you are. Good leaders don’t speak anyhow, they are emotionally intelligent and have decorum. How others perceive you will have a direct impact on your success equation.

Building relationships is a skill

It takes time and intentional effort to build meaningful relationships. The sooner you focus on this dimension in the initial stages of your career, the better. Be discerning in identifying strategic relationships that will have a significant impact on your life over time. Such strategic relationships could be with your peers, sponsors and mentors, among others. Build horizontal and vertical relationships with the potential to stretch you beyond your comfort zone into the leader you aspire to be. Form mutually beneficial relationships guided by your vision and values. Show genuine interest in people, including your subordinates. When you are authentic, your actions emanate from your true sense of self. Don’t be the reason why your co-workers go home broken in spirit. A toxic work environment starts with an insecure individual who, in the similitude of oil spillage, consciously or unconsciously causes small leakages, which eventually trigger an avalanche of contamination of the entire ecosystem.

Your network is your net worth 

Quality relationships and the nature of information shared within the network have the potential to distinguish you from the rest of your peers. Sound professional relationships can increase job engagement, thereby making your work enjoyable and fulfilling. Moreover, your confidence and sense of belonging will improve, while your personal and career growth will be quickened through, among others, the following:

You learn through interaction, observation and mentorship.

Your seniors can help you with future job sponsorships. 

You learn valuable teamwork skills from your peers.

Information such as upcoming projects or new opportunities at your workplace or elsewhere become accessible within your network.

Visibility in a digital environment

Embracing digital transformation does not mean becoming an island, as it is still essential to have human connections in this ever-changing world of work. Harness your ability to bond with colleagues in a digital environment and become more adept at standing out in the context of working remotely. 

*Ipupa Fadeyi is a personal and career growth mentor and founder of IpupaK Grow You Mentorship.