Working Up

by Dwayne Phillips

I encourage managers and other influence-rs to speak to their colleagues in the place where the colleagues are most comfortable.

I encourage managers and other to speak with each of their colleagues. I find two points here:

First, speak to your colleagues everyday. If nothing special is happening, talk about “the weather.” I use this expression to mean talk about anything. Your colleagues will learn that you like to talk with them. Those folks who study this type of thing call it “establishing a relationship.” I call it being neighborly.

Next, speak to your colleagues in their place. They are comfortable in their place. Look at their desk, the walls, everything. Notice what is present. Talk to them about their life, their interests, anything you see in their office. Again, this is being neighborly.

The opposite this visiting a colleague only when you want something from them. Some bad event has occurred and you need your colleague to do something for you. They learn that you only show your face on bad ocassions. You only bring bad news.

Who wants to be that way? Not very neighborly.