Here's how you can forge strong relationships with your supervisors and colleagues during your internship.

Understand and Engage Deeply Active listening is more than just nodding and responding at intervals; it's about truly engaging with the speaker's message. When listening to your supervisors and colleagues, try to grasp the underlying themes and concerns in their communication. Demonstrate your understanding by summarising their points and reflecting them back. This shows that you are not only hearing their words but also comprehending the context and significance behind them. Practical Approach: After a meeting or conversation, summarise key points and next steps in a follow-up email. This reinforces your understanding and commitment while providing a reference for future discussions.

Building strong relationships during an internship isn't just beneficial for the intern, it’s a testament to your leadership opportunities. Leaders, your role isn't merely to guide, but to engage with fresh perspectives. Foster an environment where curiosity is met with mentorship, not just tasks. Interns, don't just seek approval, challenge norms thoughtfully. Your questions could be the key to innovation. Both parties should embrace discomfort—it’s where growth happens. The future of leadership isn’t no longer about hierarchy but synergy. True impact arises when every voice, no matter how new, is heard and valued. #7HabitsOfHighlySuccessfulLeaders #LedershipMindset

Developing a strong relationship with the supervisor promotes professional growth and fosters a positive working environment. First, be a reliable and committed worker; make sure to give quality work in a timely manner. Keep your supervisor updated on your progress and ask for feedback constantly. Be honest when taking their responses and be prepared to change. For example, during a critical project, I set up a weekly check-in with my supervisor to review progress and challenges. From this, apart from automatically being able to strengthen our working relationship, it also offered valuable mentorship and support. Having created trust and respect, you will have a firm base for your professional relationship to really grow from.

Showing initiative shows interest and engagement. In a time where there is a rise in "silent resignations," the ability to show initiative can help you stand out amongst your peers. I often hear from employers that they can teach the work, but they cannot teach attitude. This falls under attitude, and this skill is highly sought after in the workplace. I remember a time when we were recruiting, and my boss said, "Look for the hungry ones; they will be your best workers." How hungry are you?

Align Initiative with Organisational Goals Taking initiative is crucial, but it must be strategic and aligned with the organisation's goals. Before diving into new tasks, take the time to understand the broader objectives and how your efforts can contribute. This demonstrates that you are not just proactive but also strategic and thoughtful in your approach. Practical Approach: Identify a project or task that aligns with your team’s objectives. Propose a detailed plan to your supervisor, outlining how you intend to tackle it and the potential benefits for the organisation. This shows foresight and a deep understanding of your role within the bigger picture.

From my experience, the interns who distinguish themselves most don't just do what is asked of them - they identify ways to add value and take the initiative to offer solutions. I have always been impressed by young people who say "I have finished this task and I also noticed we could improve X process or do Y for our <clients><agency><employees> if we did Z." That demonstrates a long-term and mature view and that you're already contributing beyond what might be expected of an intern. Supervisors and colleagues will respect and remember that for sure.

In the world today of today, you have to be able to hit the ground running and adapt to your surroundings. This is especially important as an intern. It means being able to integrate yourself, commit to the work, build relationships, and assess the environment without too much knowledge ahead of time. When you take time to commit to the work, people notice that you are invested. They notice that you're looking to solve problems and you're authentic in your reactions. This speed and agility is appreciated over time. Remember: Resilience isn't about avoiding challenges, but having the strength to endure, adapt, and recover stronger.

Embrace Continuous Learning Adaptability isn't just about reacting to changes; it's about anticipating them and being prepared. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Stay informed about industry trends and developments that could impact your work. This proactive approach to adaptability will make you a valuable asset to your team. Practical Approach: Create a personal development plan that includes regular learning activities such as attending webinars, reading industry publications, or taking relevant online courses. Share your learning goals with your supervisor and seek their input, showing your commitment to growth and adaptability.

John Maxwell said, "Clear communication transforms relationships and builds trust." Demonstrate your ability to lead and take initiative by mastering the art of clear communication. • It means active listening. • It means listening to understand perspectives. • It means speaking clearly and concisely. When you speak, be concise, articulate, and direct, providing clear instructions and expectations. Utilize various communication channels, like meetings, emails, and one-on-one conversations, to ensure your message is understood. Clear communication fosters transparency, reduces misunderstandings, and builds trust within the team.

Tailor Your Communication Clear communication is crucial, but it’s equally important to tailor your communication style to your audience. Recognise the different preferences and communication styles of your supervisors and colleagues. Some may prefer concise emails, while others might value in-depth reports or face-to-face discussions. Practical Approach: When starting your internship, take note of how different team members prefer to communicate. Adjust your style accordingly. For example, if a colleague prefers brief email updates, avoid sending long messages. Instead, be succinct and to the point.

Understanding and respecting everyone's personal space is key to building strong relationships. Just because you're in a professional setting doesn't mean personal life doesn't exist. Avoid oversharing personal details too early on. Similarly, respect your supervisors' and colleagues' time. Stick to meeting schedules, respond to emails promptly, and avoid unnecessary interruptions. Remember, everyone has their own workload and priorities. By respecting these boundaries, you show that you value their time and energy. This creates a foundation of trust and mutual respect.

Be Mindful of Professional Etiquette Respecting boundaries goes beyond just being considerate; it involves understanding and adhering to professional etiquette within the organization. Be aware of the hierarchy and the formal and informal rules that govern interactions. This awareness will help you navigate the workplace more effectively and build stronger relationships. Practical Approach: Observe and learn the norms of your workplace, such as meeting etiquettes, email protocols, and preferred modes of communication. Respect these norms consistently, and when in doubt, ask for guidance from your supervisor or a trusted colleague.

I prefer the term "building relationships" to "networking" since networking appears over used and can imply expanding one's contacts just for what they stand to gain from those contacts. Relationship building on the other hand implies genuine curiosity and a willingness to establish something more meaningful with others. So, build relationships internally. As you connect with new people in the organization, share your aspirations, but importantly, listen to others and find common ground that will form the foundation for a lasting relationship. Think of not just how they can benefit you, but how you might be able to benefit them. You might think that as an intern this is impossible, but don't underestimate your value.

Build Genuine Connections Networking is not just about expanding your contact list; it’s about building genuine relationships based on mutual respect and interest. Focus on quality over quantity by fostering meaningful connections with a few key individuals rather than trying to meet everyone. Practical Approach: Seek out opportunities for one-on-one interactions, such as coffee chats or informal meetings. Show genuine interest in your colleagues’ roles and experiences. Follow up on conversations with personalized messages or notes of appreciation, reinforcing your connections.

Sean McVay said, "Everything goes back to the relationships. That's the foundation of everything that we do." Working with people during an internship isn't any different. It means connection, communication, and respect. Strong relationships create a foundation of trust, making clients feel valued and understood. • It will improve communication. • It will reduce the number of misunderstandings. • It will make the team stronger and more resilient. Building relationships leads to a deeper level of trust, ensuring project success and client satisfaction.