Corporate America has grown tired of formal networking and has only used connections to get ahead at work over the years.
In a viral Reddit discussion that has garnered 39k likes and 324 comments, one user strongly disliked the importance of networking in the job market. The user who hates the fact that he has to do it to get a decent job prefers to keep his social and work life separate, interacting with people he needs to work with only when needed "at work," calling business-monetized relationships not genuine.
But connecting and getting ahead is not that hard. Here's when Srindi Rajesh introduces a "corporate flirting" method to connect with people in her company and industry.
Rajesh was motivated by another TikTok video tackling charisma as the primary factor influencing how others perceive your success. Because of this, she and her best friend devised a foolproof method to exude charisma in almost any situation, particularly in corporate settings, thus coined "corporate flirting."
Corporate flirting is different from its romantic counterpart. It refers to professionals' strategic methods to forge meaningful connections within their workplace or industry. Being referred to as "bizzrizz" by one commenter, this approach emphasizes genuine interaction to build rapport and ensure mutual positive feelings.
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Here is Rajesh's approach to corporate flirting across different levels of seniority:
Connecting with Someone at Your Level
When interacting with peers you wish to connect with, Rajesh emphasizes the importance of fostering engaging conversations. She likens it to avoiding dry date-like interactions by asking a simple question and responding in a manner that shows attentive listening while injecting playful humor.
This approach begins with small talk, which creates a pathway for the conversation to develop further. It gives the person an opportunity to expand on their thoughts and share more about themselves.
In the video, Rajesh says that gently teasing the situation demonstrates openness and a willingness to engage in friendly conversation.
Connecting with Someone at The Mentor Level
When engaging with someone at a mentor level, Rajesh suggests seeking advice or sharing personal experiences. She likens her approach to the scenario where mentioning something, like a favorite flower on a date, prompts the person to reach out later, having been reminded of you when they passed by a flower shop.
In a corporate setting, an individual listens to advice from a potential mentor and subsequently communicates via email, Slack message, or in person at the office, expressing gratitude for the guidance they previously received and sharing the implementation outcomes. This action demonstrates thoughtfulness, appreciation for the advice given, and a proactive effort to foster a relationship.
Rajesh advises that consistently practicing this behavior will foster camaraderie with the individual.
Connecting with Someone at a Very Senior Level
When conversing with someone of significant seniority, it is crucial to approach the interaction with a high level of enthusiasm, as energy can be contagious.
Regardless of whether the senior person matches your energy or remains stoic, you should maintain a lively and enthusiastic demeanor in the conversation to demonstrate your genuine excitement about your work and the opportunity to engage with them.
Your enthusiasm creates an atmosphere where the other person feels appreciated, comfortable, and encouraged to engage, which is highly valuable, Rajesh concluded.
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