Take Initiative to Invite Your Colleagues Out and Network On Your Own Terms

Not everyone is on board with company outings and work-related social events. They’re also important to your career. If you’re having trouble saying yes to your colleagues’ invites, start extending your own invitations.

As business blog Inc. points out, socializing for work can be hard if you’re not the outgoing type. Or you might simply dislike the types of activities that your coworkers bond over. While there’s always going to be a certain element of “get over it” inherent in networking with coworkers, you can make things a little easier on yourself by taking a bit of control of the situation back:

It’s not going to be the easiest thing, but if you find yourself not wanting to accept any of the workplace social invites coming your way, maybe you need to be the inviter. You’ll probably find that cutting out a little early (if you can) on a Friday and going out for a beer with Kev and Sophia in accounting is way better than only ever burying yourself in your work.

Maybe poker night isn’t your thing, but going to the movies is. Or maybe you don’t want to join the company baseball team with fifteen other people, but you wouldn’t mind having a couple people you like over for dinner. By changing the setting to something you’re more comfortable with, you can make it easier to bond with people in your company or industry and form real professional relationships.

The Introvert’s Pain-Free Guide to Socializing with Coworkers | Inc.

Photo by Michael Coghlan.

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