It can be challenging sometimes to work with co-workers. After all, these are people that you didn’t choose to get to know. They don’t usually start off as your friends. In fact it is more likely they are complete strangers. After beginning a new job you are forced to work with and get to know these strangers. Every day you come to work and spend the day with people you don’t particularly like. After spending eight hours or more with them you get to go home to your loved ones.
This is the pattern most people have in regards to their co-workers. There may be a couple of people you actually like and don’t mind spending your lunch hour with. However, more often than not, you don’t take the time to get to know the rest of your co-workers. In fact, you may despise many of them. Do you realize that you spend more time with your co-workers than you do your loved ones? So you should try to like them.
Benefits to liking your co-workers
There are actual benefits to getting to like your co-workers. A Gallup survey discovered that if you have a best friend at work you are more likely to have better work performance and job satisfaction. In addition, it has also been proven that having good positive relationships at work can help with promotions, and increased compensation. In other words, if you get along with your co-workers, you have a good chance of making more money.
How to build better co-worker relationships
Now that we established why you should make an effort with your co-workers, here’s how to do it.
- Take a few minutes to talk to your co-workers about something other than work. You can ask them what they did during the weekend. Try to find something you have in common. If their taste is very different than yours, take an interest in what they like to do. Be genuine in your interest, people will know when you’re not being sincere. Whatever you talk about will give you something to talk about to create a positive relationship.
- Be a problem solver, not a problem creator. If you see your co-workers are having a hectic day. Ask if you can assist them. This will build a bond between you. Also, if your team is having trouble getting along, try to be the mediator to facilitate a solution.
- Recommend that you and your co-workers participate in a team building activity before a meeting.
- When you see a co-worker struggling on a project, offer a few helpful tips that will help them.
- Don’t be a credit hog. Have a team spirit when accepting credit for a job well done. This will make everyone feel like a more cohesive team.
- Pull your own weight. When employees feel their taking up the slack for a co-worker it creates resentful feelings. Therefore, make sure your assignments are always completed accurately and on time.
- Have a positive attitude. It’s true that laughter is contagious. When you have a cheery disposition, other people will follow and they won’t even know why.
Lastly, have an attitude that wants to get along with your co-workers. Remember you will spend more time with them than with your own family. Try to like them. You will benefit by delivering better work and enjoying where you work.
Sources:
- Susan Healthfield. Play Well with Others: Develop Effective Work Relationships. About.com, 2010.
- Kelly Services Staff. How to “Play Well” with Your Co-workers. Kelly Services, 2011.
- Karen Burns. 10 Tips for Playing Well with Others at Work. Money.USnews.com, January 27, 2010.
- Elizabeth Seward. How to Work Well with Co-workers, Be Green and More Productive. Planet Green.com, February 2, 2009.
Angela Huffmon - Angela Huffmon is a keynote speaker and corporate trainer helps manager improve relationships with their employees.
