The power in saying, "nice outfit."
Recognize a peer for their professional presence.
Don’t overlook small talk in the breakroom or on internal chat. You might stay quiet to avoid seeming unprofessional, but being unnoticed can be just as risky as being unprepared. These casual moments are easy chances to build connections and show you care about company culture.
Rather than just saying “hello,” try making a casual comment about someone’s professional presence to start a real conversation or recognize a coworker. For example, if a teammate is dressed up for a big presentation, saying “You look ready to crush that meeting” does more than compliment them. It shows you notice their effort and preparation. This highlights your own work ethic and shows you understand the reasons behind your team’s actions, making others want to support you.
You can also use these casual chats to share your ideas or ask for simple advice. If you notice how a senior leader dresses, you might ask, “I noticed the team dresses a bit more formally on client days; do you find that helps set the right tone for the meeting?” This shows you’re thinking about how things work and want to learn the office’s unwritten rules. It helps you build a reputation as someone who is observant, respectful, and eager to understand the business.
When you get good at these small moments, you build a support system that will speak up for you even when you’re not around. You become a connected professional who knows how to handle relationships at work. These casual connections often lead to your next project or promotion.
Put these approaches into practice.
Let’s look at practical ways to use casual encounters to build a network of allies and learn the unwritten rules of your organization.
"I used to keep my head down and my headphones on because I thought it showed I was a hard worker. I realized later that I missed out on three internal project openings simply because the managers didn't know I existed. Now, I make it a point to spend ten minutes a day in the social channels or the kitchen. Being known is the first step to being promoted."
DON’T stay quiet in the breakroom or avoid internal chat to stay focused, as being invisible is just as risky as being unprepared for your tasks.
DO use casual encounters as low-pressure opportunities to build a network of allies and show you’re paying attention to the company culture.
"I noticed my teammate had clearly spent all night on a pitch deck. Instead of just walking by, I said, 'Those visuals look sharp—you look ready to kill it today.' He beamed. Later that week, when I needed help with a spreadsheet, he was the first to offer. Acknowledging his prep made him root for my success, too."
DON’T limit your interactions to a simple "hello" or "how's it going," which fails to demonstrate your understanding of professional standards.
DO use observations about professional presence to recognize a peer's hard work, such as: “You look ready to crush that meeting.”
"I wasn't sure if I should wear a suit for a specific client visit. Instead of guessing, I asked a senior developer, 'I noticed the team steps up the formality for this client; does that help the tone of the meeting?' He gave me a 10-minute masterclass on client psychology I never would’ve gotten in a training manual."
DON’T guess at the office culture or assume you'll figure out the social dynamics on your own through trial and error.
DO use casual chats to ask for low-stakes advice on office norms, showing you have the critical thinking skills to learn how the business actually works.
"I had an idea for a new filing system but was too nervous to present it to the VP. I mentioned it casually to her while we were both getting coffee. She liked the 'low-stakes' version so much she asked me to put it on the agenda for next week. Small talk turned a scary presentation into a warm invitation."
DON’T wait for a formal meeting to share your thoughts or ask for feedback on a project, which can feel high-stakes and intimidating.
DO use casual chats to "seed" your own ideas or get early feedback, building a reputation as someone who is observant and eager to learn.
"I used to think networking was just for Sales. But during a recent round of layoffs, the people who stayed were the ones who had built trust, a reputation, and goodwill over time. I realized that being the person people like to work with is a form of job security. My casual bridge-building turned into a safety net I didn't know I needed."
DON’T view human relationships as optional or secondary to your technical output; don't assume your work will speak for itself.
DO build casual bridges that lead to your next project or promotion by becoming a connected professional who knows how to navigate people.
The next time you’re in the office or on a team chat, identify one colleague who is modeling great professional presence and ask yourself: “How can I give them a quick shout-out for their preparation to start a genuine conversation today?”
Integrate these professional strategies into your workflow—whether you’re refining your own work or mentoring your team or clients.