Unless you’re lucky, many individuals don’t get to pick who their co-workers are.
During your job search, have you ever noticed the phrase “must work well with others” in the job description? If so, there’s a very good reason for this. Employers do not want to hire individuals who are grumpy and don’t work well with others, so as to avoid unnecessary problems in the workplace.
Working well with others is crucial because it helps to improve productivity, efficiency, and boost employee’s morale. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to get along, and this can cause all kinds of difficult situations.
Below are Simple Strategies For Getting Along With Others In The Workplace:
- Treat People With Respect
Treating people with respect is the most important interaction that you can have dealing with the everyday people who populate your work life.
If you don’t feel like you’re being treated with respect at work, it can be extremely difficult to do your best. The same is true of your co-workers. They may not be able to perform their duties efficiently if and when their confidence has been put into check by a disrespectful co-worker.
- Take Responsibility
No one is perfect. All but a few unrealistic employers realize that.
When something goes wrong however, it’s human nature to say “It wasn’t my fault.” You might be telling the truth, what you’re also doing is giving the impression that you’re not in control of the situation and that isn’t exactly reassuring to those who depend on you.
People feel safe around others who are in control. Take responsibility, plan for success, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who want to help you succeed.
- Keep an Open Mind
It’s never a good look, coming off as a know-it-all. Even in situations where you know you are a 100 percent correct, it’s always advisable to keep an open mind and be open to alternate ideas, else people will typically get defensive around you very quickly and it’s downhill from there.
It’s much more productive to show a little bit of humility and concern about truly finding the right answer for every issue and situation. Because everyone has a different problem-solving process, teamwork really has the potential to resolve issues and come up with great ideas much faster.
- Practice Proper Hygiene
Regardless of whether you’re working with the public or in a back office, practicing proper hygiene is essential when you work with others. No one wants to be around someone who smells bad or looks like they slept in their clothing from the day before. This doesn’t mean you have to dress like the rich and famous. It simply means come to work looking and smelling presentable.
- Put Your Phone Away
If you work in a large office, constant ringing can be a major distraction. You’ll do well to be considerate of others by turning down your phone’s ringer or putting it away when being talked to .
- Share Credit
When applicable, share credit with your co-workers and don’t take all the accolades. This is a clear sign that you work well with others.
- Don’t Interrupt
Have you ever been in the middle of a conversation, only to be constantly interrupted? It’s annoying, isn’t it? For that reason, never be “the interrupter.” Even if you have a great idea that you can’t wait to share, WAIT until it’s your turn to talk. Take a deep breath and relax. You’ll be sharing your news or idea before you know it.
- Smile
The act of smiling is often referred to as a person’s most powerful gesture. Science can back up the fact that individuals who smile often are not only happier, they’re also more successful as well. Even better – smiling doesn’t cost you a penny. It’s free to smile and watch the world (or at least the people you work with) smile right back at you.
- Don’t Be a Noise Maker
If you must listen to music at work, wear headphones or keep the volume at a non-distracting level. Remember, not everyone will have the same taste in music as you do. Do not make it difficult for them to concentrate and get their jobs done properly.
- Respect Boundaries
Your job might require you to share a space with your co-workers, whether it’s a cubicle, office, or vehicle. If you are near others while you work, make sure that you respect their boundaries and encourage them to respect yours in return.
Try not to have phone calls about non-work-related matters if your cubicle mate is quietly focused on a project. Also, try not to divulge too much about your personal life, because this may be too much information for some people.
- Learn To Let Go
Once you’ve had a dispute with a co-worker, it can be difficult to get your relationship with them back to a state where you can work together effectively. If the dispute has been resolved, the best thing that you can do is move on to focus on work. Of course, your co-worker will have to focus on letting go too.
If they still seem upset over the issue, see if they’re willing to talk about it. If they tell you why they’re still not satisfied after the dispute was settled, do what you can to make things right between the two of you. If problems persist between the two of you, it may be best to take this to your supervisor or the HR .
