You have heard many people talk about social capital and its benefits. You probably have heard people lamenting about friends who didn’t come through for them when they needed them the most, but did they invest in their social capital?
Social capital is a set of shared values or resources that allows individuals to work together in a group to effectively achieve common purposes and goals. It involves the network of potential individuals that one creates and keeps.
Kang’ethe Njoroge, a Public Relations and Media Expert, has lamented that many people people think that social capital is only needed for weddings and burials. He said this is why some people will not be in communication for many years but request help during weddings or funerals.
He explained that social capital is not built overnight; it is reciprocal and does not need money to build. It just needs to be sensitive that people have emotions and that one can’t sneak into other people’s lives only when they need help.
“Social capital is massively important and when built and used correctly, it can make a very big difference to one’s quality of life. It can save you money, get you a better job, make things easier and safer; it can save your life, time and effort, and make life more enjoyable and productive,” Njoroge explained.
He further advised that people should learn to connect with people in their circles. Check on them, end someone’s birthday messages, check their timelines and comment something positive and inspirational.
“Pick your phone and call someone, or text them. It could be your relative, your colleague, your former schoolmate, a former or current boss, your CEO, or your parents this helps in creating a connection with people hence building your social capital,” he advised.
Njoroge recommended that even if people within your network don’t respond to your calls and messages, just keep in touch and don’t just reach out when you are in need, adding that people should respect everyone no matter their status in life and be there when others need them.
“Be a solution, encouragement and inspiration and avoid being a leech. Just be nice, stays in touch with people and bring joy, encouragement and hope to them,” he concluded.
Follow or like our social media accounts for more informative stories:
About the Writer:
Agnes Aboo is an experienced journalist passionate about changing lives through media coverage. She is a graduate of Journalism and Mass Communication from Mount Kenya University and is currently a student at Daystar University. She has a special interest in the environment, climate change, forestry and politics.
Her email is agnesaboo@upeohubdigital.co.ke
