How to Get Along with Your Co-Workers

Spending eight hours a day, five days a week at the office means you’re around your co-workers more than anyone else in your life. Having a great relationship with the people you work with can make the office an enjoyable place to be. Having bad relationships with some of your co-workers, though, can make you dread walking into work every morning. Here’s how to get along with everyone you work with.

Start Off on the Right Foot

The best way to ensure positive work relationships is to start working on them from the very beginning. Forming relationships with new people can be a bit tricky, but give it some time and remain friendly as everyone warms up to you. Smile, accept people’s invitations to join them for lunch and ask questions to show you’re interested in your job. You can also check out Enplug.com for more tips about communicating in the workplace.

Avoid Taboo Topics

You should always make a point to avoid taboo topics or anything that could make someone uncomfortable. Controversial topics like religion and politics should be avoided. Even if you feel super comfortable with your co-workers, you should still keep personal talk to a minimum and leave it for outside the office. Remember that if you insult or offend somebody, or make someone uncomfortable, they can’t simply walk out of work to avoid you. 

Don’t Become a Gossip

It can feel great to bond with your co-workers and sometimes that bonding occurs when putting other people down. It’s tempting to spread news, gossip and complain about other co-workers when you’ve formed a little circle of friends at work. Remember that gossip tends to jump from one person to the other, though – this week, it may be the guy in marketing, but next week it could be you. Keep a good distance from this type of drama and gossip at work if you want to retain your good reputation.

Respect Every One of Your Colleagues

It’s nearly impossible to gain respect if you don’t give respect. Show respect for everyone you work with, from your managers and co-workers to the office temps, administrative assistants and cleaning crew. Don’t do or say anything that could be construed as offensive, don’t leave your work area messy, stay out of the office when you’re sick and never take credit for something someone else did.

Embrace Difficult People

If there’s someone in the office who everyone avoids, that doesn’t mean you have to jump on the bandwagon. Difficult people are often that way for a reason. Maybe they don’t like their job or they’re having a hard time at home. Maybe they’re sick of everyone talking about them behind their back. Maybe they just prefer to keep to themselves. Whatever the case, be just as friendly and respectful to them as you are with everyone else. You may not become best friends, but you can still have a professional relationship.

Have Good Manners

Follow the rules of office etiquette. Keep your voice low when talking on the phone. Don’t distract anyone else. Try not to hover over them even if you’re explaining something. Overall, be respectful of everyone’s space and time.

When you have good relationships in the workplace, it’s easier to show up, do your job and exceed your boss’ expectations. Make a point of making your place of work somewhere you like to be every day, surrounded by people you trust and depend on.