Escalera said another powerful way to improve your work relationships is through collaboration. "Look for opportunities to partner with colleagues on projects or ask for their input. Doing so shows you respect their expertise and desire to work as a unified team," she suggested.
"Employees can also ask colleagues for career advice to show they value their perspective and experience. This outreach can spark deeper conversations and lay the foundation for career-building relationships like mentorship and sponsorship."
Even a simple conversation at the coffee machine can help you build rapport. Escalera said, "Great questions to ask colleagues to create meaningful relationships are 'What helped you get to your current role?' or 'What advice would you give someone navigating a similar path?' People are often pleased to share their journey to inspire someone else's path."
