I&#x27;m definitely outgoing- I have no problem making myself the butt of a joke to get the laugh, but at the same time I&#x27;m not so outgoing that I&#x27;m one of those guys who could go on a trip by himself and make five new best friends. Nor would I just go to an event and meet like 10 people and go to dinner with them that night.<p>I&#x27;d consider myself normal outgoing and I think, at least in a work environment, it is my self confidence that alows this. I know my input won&#x27;t always be right, but it will be way more often than not- even then it will probably still have value. So I throw out my ideas in meetings where it&#x27;s appropriate. I iterate on others ideas with them, that type of thing.<p>I would ask those around me what they thought of an approach- not because I was worried mine was wrong, because maybe they&#x27;d have a fresh take and could help tweak it for the better. This warms them up to collaborate. They will likely start doing the same to you, then you&#x27;ll both come to a mutual respect for where each other&#x27;s strengths and weaknesses may lie, but you&#x27;ve formed a bond of comraderie that should keep you well regarded. It&#x27;s important that most of the time when you&#x27;re asking for input that you&#x27;ve got the problem nearly licked- no one wants to work with the guy always asking how to do his job.<p>Those are the main ways I&#x27;ve built strong relationships in the office. I say hi to people as I pass buy, grab the odd coffee with whoever, and chat about sports (I happen to root for all of the rival teams up here, so that breeds a lot of conversation).<p>That&#x27;s it- my secret is that I just behave like an okay guy most of the time and I don&#x27;t stay silent and keep my eyes to the floor.