Let's Build

K-12 education has evolved and continues to evolve we have students receiving their associate's degree before graduating high school, earning certificates via CATE programs as well as very successful teenpreneurs. However there is one common thread that has been left undone. Relationship building.  

We often refer to this as networking, but networking and relationship building are different. Have you ever seen a job description ask for networking abilities? Neither have I. Relationship building involves cultivating a relationship and taking into consideration the other person’s interests, needs and goals. Therefore, teaching our students how to build relationships early is vital to their success.

Here are a few ways we can teach our students how to build healthy relationships:

• Put a fresh spin on PTA meetings. Use this time to host a mixer! With both parents and administrators in the same room students have a unique opportunity to learn by observation as well as by doing. You can create games that encourage students to discuss topics with their peers or practice their elevator speech. Add food and some music and your students have successfully completed their first relationship building event.
• Have students create a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn allows students to seek out professionals that are in the field or attended the college they are considering. Students may simply browse their page to look at education and work history or they can dig a little deeper and see who they follow, what their interests are and so forth. Either way there are millions of people on LinkedIn that they can engage directly or passively. 
• Encourage informational interviews. These interviews allow students to share their interests and also ask questions. Students should have a few questions and then let the conversation progress naturally. When it’s not forced the relationship will grow naturally. Students may find that the information they gathered changes their perspective or that the individual was not able to help them in the way they imagined. Students should ask the individual to refer them to 1-2 contacts that they can interview.
• Follow-up. Everything that has been mentioned previously will fall flat without a genuine thank you email or handwritten note. 
• After you follow-up hit that follow button. Most relationships will be maintained via social media by liking, sharing and commenting on a post. In addition remembering key events such as birthdays or who their favorite sports, ballet, artist and so on are help keep a light and interesting relationship going.

Solid healthy relationships take time to build and cultivate. Happy Building. 

Tell me how you build healthy relationships in the comments.