It is all about who you know - and who you choose to be buddies with.  At work, as in your social circles, you really are judged by who you hang out with. 

Who are you choosing to spend your time with?

Key to your success at work is your relationships.  How you work with others, engage with the people around you, and handle the difficult people all impact on whether you are seen as someone with potential. 

Why does it matter so much?  No matter what role you are in, you need to be able to manage the people around you to best meet yours, their and the businesses need.  If you are seen as antagonistic, arrogant, a push over, too emotional or aligned with the office gossip, you may be ruining your personal brand at work.

Quick tips to managing relationships at work:

• Be friendly, open and pick the most positive people to get to know. Be open and friendly to everyone no matter what their role is or who they are.
•  Avoid the whiners. Every business has them - they are the ones who are really negative about everything and you wonder why they are still working there if they hate it so much. If the person is always moaning about work, their manager or the business avoid them at all cost. 
• Avoid office gossips or negative groups. Join in on social events, a bit of a laugh or a joke, but don’t gossip about others. It isn’t productive and only makes you look petty and childish. You want to be trusted by the people around you, and gossiping is a quick way to cast doubt on your integrity.
•  Find a mentor within the business. You need to align yourself with a person who has influence, has solid relationships with key decision makers, and who has a strong fit with your values and aspirations.
• Take an emotional step back from your relationships at work: always assume the best, don't take things personally or harbour grudges, and avoid personal remarks.   If you find it difficult to remove the emotion, you may want to get a coach or take some courses in maintaining professional distance.
• Find ways to get involved in projects where you will get to work with people you admire or who inspire you.
• Offer to take company visitors out to lunch, for coffee, or pick up/drive them to the airport. The more people you meet and get to know in the business the better. You will be remembered.

If you want to fast track your career success, we can work with you on a  one-one basis to help you get there. Visit our webiste at www.careeranalysts.co.nz.

Have a great Christmas and New Year! See you in 2008.

Jo Mills

General Manager

Career Analysts

www.careeranlaysts.co.nz