Surprise!  This looks a little different right?

One of the things I’m starting in 2025 is to provide a monthly roundup of the top 5 resources others have found helpful.  It’ll all be centered around a theme as well. The whole goal will be to provide free resources so you can be more effective in your work and personal life.  

This month’s theme is all about networking and building strategic relationships at work.  

Ready?  Let’s get started

–Resource 1–

Harvard Business Review Article: Navigating Peer Relationships while Climbing the Ladder

This article by Amii Barnard-Bahn was helpful in breaking down the overall strategy and art of managing sideways and getting comfortable with politics without becoming too disingenuous.  

Read the article here

–Resource 2–

Video: Rich Eisen Show Interview clip with Mike Pereira

In this interview clip, Rich Eisen interviewed Mike Pereira who used to be the NFL head of referees around the most difficult coach to work with.  You don’t have to follow football or know who these people are to see what he says about how he managed that relationship.  It’s a really clear example of how knowing someone’s personality and style AS WELL AS the having a good relationship with the people that influence that person can make a huge difference in avoiding potential problems.

Watch the 4-minute clip here

–Resource 3–

Video: Three Tips to Handle Tough Work Relationships

I wasn’t familiar with her work before, but I came across Sanyin Siang’s work recently and was impressed with her approach to navigating and turning around difficult work relationships.  In this 5-minute video for MIT Sloan Management Review, she walks through how to work through these difficult relationships.

Watch the 5-minute video here

–Resource 4–

Blog Post: 3 Networking Strategies for People who Hate Networking

I also wrote about this topic last year, in which I shared 3 networking strategies for people who are shy, introverted, or just plain hate networking.  It’s a quick read and it’s focused on how to get more comfortable with the mechanics of networking.

Read it here

–Resource 5–

Worksheet: Strategic Relationships Worksheet

Last year, I gave a webinar on how to build strategic relationships in the workplace.  As part of that, I gave out a downloadable worksheet on how to build strategic relationships.  It goes through:

1. Identifying who in your organization would be beneficial to build a relationship with
2. How to better understand that person and how to build trust and influence with them

Download it here 

I hope these resources are helpful!

Cheers,

Chris

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PS – I really would love a catchy name for this monthly roundup of resources.  I’ll always stick with 5 resources, but I’m terrible with coming up with names.  

Got any ideas?  

I would love to hear your ideas, if I use your idea, you’ll get a prize (Gift card to somewhere of your choice)

Let’s hear your cool ideas!