A good way to get to know people even better is to form a small group of like-minded individuals to get together on a regular basis. You can keep this group very casual and discuss whatever comes up at the gathering. Or you can pre-determine topics to discuss so everyone comes prepared to talk about the same subject.
More formally, this could be considered a peer-to-peer round table. Some organizations, like Vistage International, have made a business out of putting together these groups. Other organizations such as BNI set up referral groups to help people generate business.
I am not suggesting that you need to go to great lengths to set up and maintain the group. Rather, I suggest that you keep it simple and casual at first so it is easy for people to participate. Let the group take on a life of its own and see where it leads you.
So, pick a few people to start with and invite them to join you. Pick a frequency that makes sense for everyone such as once a week or once a month. Whatever you decide, make sure that you meet on a regular basis.
Choose a convenient and casual location. You could meet over a meal, at a bar, or at the office. I suggest that you change the location around so you keep the discussion fresh. Today, I heard about a friend's husband who decided to form a group with some co-workers to talk about politics. Tonight was their first meeting so I hope that it went well and that they decide to get together again.
Getting together on a regular basis is important for building relationships. So, make sure that you commit to a group if you decide to form or join one. Remember, you need to get to know people so you can help each other.
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