Hello Reader.

Imagine you've just arrived at the office at 9 AM.

You head to your cubicle.

You sit down and start working on your current tasks.

More and more people arrive at the office.

But you notice something...

They walk past, engrossed in their morning routines.

It's as if you're invisible, a ghost.

You think to yourself, "Okay, maybe I'm just the new person here. It will get better."

But months go by. One month, two months, three months.

Still, you haven't received a single greeting from them.

Perhaps a few acknowledge you once in a while when they need something from you.

But overall, they simply don't care about you.

And the situation gets worse.

You attend weekly meetings, discussing the current project.

At the end of the meeting, your manager asks everyone for suggestions and feedback.

And now, it's your turn.

Your manager asks, "So, Reader, what do you think we can improve in this project?"

You give your answer.

You explain it with enough detail but keep it concise to avoid boring them.

While explaining, you observe your coworkers.

You notice that they are doing anything but paying attention to what you're saying.

Some are focused on their laptops, checking their phones, or conversing with each other.

None of them seems to care about your words.

Your manager thanks you for your input, saying, "I'll keep that suggestion in mind."

But then you realize that even your manager doesn't seem to care about your explanation.

No one is really listening to you.

Has this ever happened to you, Reader?

Perhaps it's a recent experience or something from the past.

The bigger question we need to ask:

WHY DON'T PEOPLE TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY?

This is a problem I often see among junior developers or anyone new to the tech industry.

They have the technical skills, but their lack of social skills hinders their ability to connect with their coworkers.

Don't get me wrong. Technical skills are crucial, and they're why you're there in the first place.

But here's the harsh truth: your social skills are just as important as your coding prowess.

Imagine you're building a complex software system.

It's not just about writing impeccable code. It's also about understanding the needs of the end-users, communicating effectively with project managers, and collaborating with your team members.

Your technical skills might ensure the code works flawlessly, but if you can't communicate and collaborate with your team, you're setting yourself up for failure.

In the tech industry, being a brilliant coder alone won't take you very far.

You're not working in isolation, but rather as part of a dynamic, interconnected ecosystem.

Do you think you can get away with not being friendly with people? Good luck with that mindset.

Being approachable to your coworkers not only helps you get things done efficiently but also opens doors to new opportunities.

"So, Vinod, what should I do to fix this?"

START TALKING TO PEOPLE.

The biggest mindset flaw you MUST overcome is thinking that being an introvert justifies being cold.

No, that's not true.

You can be an introvert and still be talkative.

Introvert x Talkative = Possible.

It's not mutually exclusive.

Being an "introvert" just means that you sometimes enjoy your own company and quiet moments.

It doesn't mean you have to build an icy wall around yourself and shut others out.

You can still share warmth and kindness with people around you.

And no, you don't have to exhaust yourself mentally.

A simple "Hi, how are you?" is ENOUGH.

You might consider this basic, but in my experience, it's the perfect ice-breaker.

It's like a little key that helps you unlock the door to a good chat.

You see, just by saying this, you're showing that you care about the other person.

You're asking how they feel, and that's a kind and friendly thing to do.

It's like starting a puzzle. You put down that first piece, and it helps create the whole picture.

Plus, it gives the other person a chance to share a bit about themselves.

They might say, "I'm good, thanks. I had a fun weekend at the park with my dog."

Now, you have something to talk about – you can ask about their dog, share your own pet stories, or even chat about your favorite parks.

So, even though it might seem simple, that little "Hi, how are you?" is like a magic key to building friendships.

It opens the door to small talk, which is the first step in making new friends and connecting with people.

Set aside your 'shyness' for a while and engage in conversations.

Aim to talk to one new person in your office EVERY DAY.

And here's the secret: by talking to a new person each day, you're not just making friends, you're also becoming a friend.

You're showing that you're interested in others and that you value what they have to say.

It's like sprinkling friendship seeds that will grow into wonderful relationships over time.

Don’t be a Mr./Ms. Loner at your office.

Make some friends. Build stronger connections.

I hope this helps.

That's a wrap!

Your friend,

Vinod.