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As a Future Guru, you know networking is vital to your professional growth. Yet the majority of us are stumped in how to and where to practice this mysterious art. Even seeking out information on networking can be daunting…Amazon.com has over 40,000 books on the topic!
So if you’re looking for a simple, straight-forward book on this topic, I would recommend The Great Game of Networking by Dr. Burt Smith – affectionately known as Dr. Burt. I received Dr. Burt’s book when I joined the Oklahoma City chapter of the American Marketing Association, of which Dr. Burt is an active member. (Disclaimer: I have met Dr. Burt, but it was only after reading the book and establishing my positive review. My review is unbias!)
Although I received a free copy with my AMA membership, I’d glady spend the $12.95 on this book. Here’s why I think it’s worthwhile and why I think you will too:
1. It’s an easy read at 110 pages.
2. It convinces you it is important to network.
3. It covers everything from appearance to follow-up.
4. It offers practical exercises to apply at your next networking event.
Even if this book isn’t for you, I encourage you to find a few that suit your needs and reading style. Reading about your industry, researching hot topics, and brushing up your professionalism skills are important ingredients to creating career magic.
Sorry FGs – studying didn’t end when you picked up that diploma. So let’s get to it!
“God, what is that hair? Soooo yesterday.”
Those aren’t the words of a 15 year old teeny bopper but of Carly Fiorina, California’s GOP Senate candidate. She was recently caught on a live mike trashing the hairdo of her political rival. Apparently we never really grow out of high school slandering.
This made me think of gossip in the work place, because I know Ms. Fiorina isn’t alone in offering up an office trash talk or two. Whispers can be heard at large firms and small start-ups, amongst young professionals and top management – and large political figures. Chatter can center on bosses and coworkers, policy agenda and company culture. It can be one snarky comment or a weekly conversation amongst colleagues.
But why is gossip – amongst grown adults in the professional world – such a staple?
From my experience, gossip seems to build a sort of camaraderie. I’ve seen coworker bonds grow closer over the dislike of a particular person or policy. After all, what’s better than someone else validating your point of view? Sometimes it’s just as simple as wanting to make a catty comment. Have you ever had a situation irk you so much you just had to relay the experience to someone else so they could feel your pain?
However, not partaking in office gossip can seemingly backfire too. I have a friend that once overheard office gossip about herself, in which the group was gossiping about the fact she didn’t gossip. (Sounds very Seinfeld-esque to me.) It seemed the group felt my friend wasn’t a group ally because she didn’t partake in their daily boss bashings. She was excommunicated from group lunches because of it.
So are you damned if you do and damned if you don’t? Building relationships and bonds under the guise of gossip seems to characterize yourself as a colleague that can’t be trusted. Rising above the gossip and refusing to participate could paint you as a corrupter of group cohesion.
As a young professional establishing a reputation, I believe it’s best to risk the latter. Though bonds with gossiping coworkers may be established in the short-term, your long-term career goals could suffer. Would you want to hire someone known for a flaming tongue? Yeah, I don’t think any future employers would either.
Of course, in the heat of the conversation, your anti-gossiping skills will be tested. Stay strong, Future Gurus. We’ve got our reputations to uphold! I bet Ms. Fiorina would agree.
What are some of your experiences with office gossip? What outcomes have you seen?
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