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Today\\u2019s episode is about building and deepening professional relationships at work, and small changes that can have a big impact on your work relationships, personal brand, and people\\u2019s experience working with you.

Tip #1. No ghosting. We discuss the person, who we never know if they are going to show up to our meetings, and therefore we wonder how much they respect our time. The key here is to look at your calendar regularly to avoid double bookings and no-shows, and to let someone know AHEAD OF TIME (vs after the fact) when you won\\u2019t make the meeting. Giving someone time back = good. Leaving them staring at a blank screen = not good.

Sending the \\u201care you going to make this meeting?\\u201d email stinks. That said, we know no-shows happen, and we apologize and move on. That said, \\u201cSorry I missed our meeting, I was in the car.\\u201d is BS -- you KNEW you were getting in the car, and you KNEW you had a meeting... you know better, and we\\u2019re encouraging yourself to do better.

**Tip #2. Be on time. **Liz worked with SignalFx for years, and a core value of the company was to respect people\\u2019s time, so meetings started on time, and calls happened on time. If someone was going to be late, they would send an email, text, or Slack. Nobody was ever left waiting and it was GLORIOUS.

**Tip #3. Keep people posted on your progress. **When you\\u2019re assigned a project, the people you work with are going to assume you\\u2019re going to meet your deadline. Send an update half way through, let your colleagues know if you forsee any delays, and help people know they can rely on you to update them and meet your deliverables. Yes, it may be uncomfortable to send an update, especially if you\\u2019re going to miss a deliverable, but setting expectations is key to building trust at work.

Tip #4. Be kind. Thank the IT person who fixes your computer. Say hi when you see someone in the kitchen. Don\\u2019t leave a mess for the janitor. Being kind makes you pleasant to work with. If people like working with you, they\\u2019re going to give you opportunities. How you behave has a ripple effect in your career. Savvy interviewers are looking for how people treat others around them- it\\u2019s important to be kind.

Tip #5. Don\\u2019t overshare. Giving the gory details of your latest virus or of your breakup is completely unnecessary. Big picture, \\u201cI\\u2019m sick and can\\u2019t come to work\\u201d - yes. Every detail of fever, headache, vomit, and malaise - no.

Tip #6. Follow Up. Don\\u2019t ghost. If someone takes the time to talk with you, reaches out with an idea, and especially if you say something like \\u201cI want to work with you\\u201d or \\u201cI\\u2019m going to follow up by this date.\\u201d Yes, it may feel uncomfortable to tell someone that you\\u2019ve changed your mind, but it\\u2019s about respecting someone\\u2019s time enough to follow up when you say you will.

Kat and Liz agree that they both will bend over backwards for people who show them respect, whereas they put less time and effort into people who don\\u2019t show appreciation for our efforts. If you\\u2019re respectful to the people who you are working with, they\\u2019ll be respectful to you, and you will build more robust professional relationships.