Build and maintain a social network

Fortunately you are not alone: you are surrounded by colleagues who can support you or simply take a break or go to lunch with you. Become aware of your social work network. Who belongs in it? Detail your social network once. Orient yourself to the example in the figure to describe the network in more detail. Record specific names in the circles.

• Who supports you in what strength (line width)
• Who stresses you out (red line)?
• From whom do you desire more support (dashed line)?

How you can maintain your social network? Through social support among colleagues.

Social support is the best buffer par excellence. The stressors are not felt as intensely when we feel like we are part of a group: for example, through consolation, understanding, helping with work tasks, or even through the emotional support of work circumstances (“I agree with you! What’s going on with them?”). That is good for us.

Social support – among colleagues / peers:

• to give each other encouragement (“We can do it!”)
• to give each other solace (“These are tough times!”)
• to remind each other of successes (“You’ve managed quite different situations.”)
• to forgive each other’s mistakes (“That can happen sometimes.”)
• to defend each other in times of conflict
• to be reachable, to listen to each other
• and of course, if possible, to provide practical support