5 ways to avoid the ‘isolation trap’ at work

Do you feel isolated at work? If so, you are not alone.



According to a recent TopResume report, most career-driven professionals surveyed said they identify largely as “introverts” at work. And they have little contact with their fellow employees outside of work. These results were true for all five generations of workers, from Generation Z to the Silent Generation (born before 1946).



The emergence of hybrid and remote work has created feelings of isolation, since colleagues often communicate at a distance and digitally. And, while you don’t need to be best friends with everyone you work with , it’s important to make and maintain connections. Too much distancing from others is “a risk that can stunt or stall [your] professional advancement,” says Amanda Augustine, career expert for TopResume and Fast Company contributor.



Here are five ways to overcome that isolation and set your career back on the fast track, according to Augustine:



1. Socialize outside of work



Take advantage of opportunities to socialize when they come up. “This doesn’t mean having to be best friends with colleagues, nor does it mean fabricating relationships,” she says. “It means connecting with your coworkers off-site— going for a cup of coffee, or taking a lunch break together.”



If your colleagues and their families live nearby, you might arrange playdates for your children or invite colleagues to your next birthday party.



2. Get to know colleagues at work



Second, take the time to get to know your colleagues at work, whether you are regularly in the office or work remotely. In fact, this outreach is important especially if you work off-site.



Augustine suggests adding personal time to meetings. So, you might book a meeting for 20 minutes, and say you want an extra 10 minutes to get to know your colleague better. Or set up “virtual coffee chats” with people you’d like to get to know. Augustine says “every month between 8:15 and 8:45, I chat with a colleague in Atlanta, while I’m working from Long Island. We don’t talk about work,” she says. “We talk about our families, our lives, and it has become a great relationship. I’ve even gotten the chance to work on new projects with her!”



Another way of getting to know colleagues at work is to attend happy hours, holiday events, and summer fun days. “You don’t have to stay for the full event, or talk to everyone,” says Augustine, “But show up. Change your mindset from one of, ”Do I really have to go to this event?” to “This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know my associates better.”



3. Build connections



A third way to beat isolation is to strengthen the relationships with the people you collaborate with.



Suppose you are in a department that works closely with another group. Get to know that group. Identify the people who can be valuable partners. Those connections will make you more visible and open new paths for advancement.



Reach out within your company to potential mentors. “If you admire someone who is more senior than you at the company,” Augustine advises, “ask for a meeting, and say ‘I really admire your work, can we meet so I can gain some of your insights?’” It may feel forward to make this move, but as Augustine says, “What individual would not want to help you when you show that you appreciate what you can learn from them?”



4. Look beyond your company



Augustine also suggests that you look for networking activities outside your current workplace. “Attend workshops and industry conferences, where you can meet new, like-minded people,” she says.



You might even find valuable relationships within your neighborhood community. “There’s nothing better than bonding over a shared interest or hobby,” says Augustine. “For example, you could meet an important contact while volunteering at the pet shelter or participating in an intramural soccer league.”



The relationships you build beyond your present company can prove extraordinarily valuable in your career trajectory. When applying for a job with a new firm, your chance of success increases tenfold when your application includes a referral from someone in that company. 



5. Maintain a strong presence



Whether in-person or remote, make sure you are fully present in every interaction and meeting. Engage in active listening and give the speaker your full attention.



Too often people tune out virtual meetings. They turn off their cameras and engage in multitasking . Ninety-two percent of people admit to multitasking in meetings and 41% confess to multitasking “often” or “all the time.” Forty-nine percent admit that they are doing things that are unrelated to work during meetings.



How can you get to know others when you’re not really there—physically or mentally? Augustine advises: “If you want to overcome isolation, one of the best ways is to stay connected to meeting conversations.” Make sure you have something to contribute to these dialogues, and you will find yourself less isolated.