Having an awesome team at your workplace can really make a difference when it comes to productivity, innovation, and, ultimately, success. Similarly, having a cohort of employees unable to work together or agree can destroy a workplace and make it unbearable.
Respect People’s Differences
Each of us may approach life and work differently. While it may be a challenge for some of us to work with people who don’t think the way we do, everyone deserves to have his or her feelings and values
respected.
Think Positive
It’s easier to talk and get along with people who are positive thinkers and are not always talking negatively.
Acknowledge Your Co-Workers
Talk to each other on a casual basis. Say “Good morning!” with a smile. You don’t need to have regular conversations with every co-worker, but acknowledge their presence and be positive when talking to them. Sometimes a co-worker can be having a terrible day, and just one positive comment
or compliment can make a dreadful day bearable.
Listen
Listen to your co-workers when they talk to you. You’ll never earn respect or understand others until you give them your full attention.
Appreciate Others
No one person can or should do everything in a workplace. Just as you want support and appreciation for the job you do each day, show the same consideration for your co-workers.
Empathetic
Understanding the perspective of others is crucial for fostering a positive work environment. Everyone experiences occasional bad days, and showing compassion and understanding when someone else isn’t performing at their best is preferable to criticizing their lack of effort. Unless, of course, it becomes habitual
Pitch In and Help Out
Don’t let people down when you offer to do something extra or volunteer for a project. Be careful, however, that you don’t come across as someone who wants to do it all or someone who only knows the right way a project should be done.
Live Up to Your End of the Job
Your employers have certain expectations of you and so do your co-workers. Always strive to perform your job to the best of your abilities. Avoid seeking shortcuts or delegating tasks to a colleague. Be a problem solver and remember to seek improvement in all you do.
Respect People’s Time & Priorities
We are all working under pressure and deadlines. Respect your co-workers’ need for concentration. If you need to interrupt them, ask first, “Is it a good time?”. If your request is urgent, apologize for the interruption and keep your request brief. Remember that each of us has a different style of working.
So respect your co-workers’ style of time management and prioritizing their workload.
Be Willing to Admit Your Mistakes and Apologize Gracefully
Co-workers understand that mistakes happen and that we don’t intentionally make them. Admit when you’re wrong or have made a mistake and get on with your job.
Invest in Other Parts of Your Life
Make sure that you are taking care of yourself and that your non-work life is enriching. Indulge in hobbies, sports, exercise, reading, travel, or socializing. Try not to take your work problems home. Change out of your work clothes and your work mindset. Do something entirely different when you get home. Focus on your family, your hobbies, and yourself. This will refresh you, helping you give your all during the next workday.
Understand That Life on the Job Won’t Always Be Perfect
You will have co-workers, bosses, and employers that you don’t always like or agree with. If you find that you absolutely can’t work with certain people, then it’s time to look for another job. By practicing the principles outlined here, you can learn to work successfully with difficult people and flourish professionally in the process.
