These 12 Acts Will Make Your Colleagues Like You
No need to be pushy. It'll come effortlessly.
Being the newbie at work can be really intimidating. Your coworkers know one another and are at ease in being themselves. Meanwhile, you are still in the phase of hesitancy for every move.
The key to overcoming first-timer blues is knowing how to adapt to the office culture immediately. This said, here are some acts that will help you conquer workplace relationships.
- Make morning greetings a habit
Start with something simple "” a "Good morning!" everyday. Greeting your colleagues with a positive mood will help create a harmonious environment for the rest of the day. A hello is also a great and simple conversation starter! Don't miss a morning without greeting your coworkers. Sooner than later, you will find your morning chitchats extend a little bit longer. - Be interested
Keep your eyes peeled for opportunities to ask your colleagues questions. Maybe there are interesting current events that you think a coworker has a lot to say about. How about your colleague who usually takes a break at the same time you do? Maybe you have something in common. - Always be ready to help
Not only does having initiative help you grow your career, it also allows you to gain new friends at work. The more reliable you are, the more your colleagues will want you around. Whenever you have time and energy to spare, look around and see if your coworkers need assistance. Ask what you can do to help"”even if it is as small as lending them a hand when they are carrying a lot of things, or offering to get them coffee when they can't seem to leave their desk. - Appreciate and affirm
Oftentimes, results are open to scrutiny but the hard work behind the results are left unnoticed. With all the tasks people face everyday, it is easy to forget that others need some sort of validation too. Make it a habit to notice when your colleagues"”even your boss"”are exerting extra effort, and affirm them when you see that they are doing something good. - Be supportive
Encourage your colleagues! Aside from affirming them for the good work that they are doing, support them for the work they are yet to do. If you notice that they are having a hard time doing a certain task, think of ways to lighten their load. - Stay positive
Maintain a healthy mindset. When your thoughts are clouded with complaints, you will never have fun at work. Meanwhile, if you have a positive attitude, you will have more opportunities to grow and excel. Not to mention, your coworkers will want to work around you. - Be inclusive
Leave the clique-centric attitude in high school. Now that you are a professional, you have to learn how to work with everyone harmoniously. Avoid staying with just one group of people. - Have initiative
In social gatherings, make it a goal to introduce yourself to at least two new people. This is the perfect opportunity for you to make friends with your colleagues, as you are sure they are not caught up with work and are in the mood to socialize. Do not forget to follow up! - Avoid taking things personally
Expect that you will have areas in your career that will need improvement. When someone criticizes you, avoid taking it personally. Instead, take every criticism with a grain of salt. - Be yourself
As cliché as this sounds, it is very important to be yourself. If you are constantly putting on a show just to make your colleagues like you, you will burn out eventually. - Be honest
While you want to be as appreciative as possible, never give out fake compliments. If you see something that needs improvement, be honest and give your opinion. Learn to deliver constructive criticism well"”include encouragement and appreciation before pointing out what needs fixing. - Do not rush
The best relationships are never rushed, so be patient. Focus on being consistent, rather than aggressive, in building your workplace relationships. Avoid forcing your colleagues to like you. Instead, be intentional and sincere in wanting to get to know them more.
When you make it a goal for your colleagues to like you, set the right motives. Be truly interested in investing in your work relationships, and you will find yourself with good friends in no time.
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JobStreet.com and jobsDB are part of SEEK Asia, which is the leading online employment market place in Asia. SEEK Asia covers 7 countries namely Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
SEEK Asia is the extension of the Australian Securities Exchange listed company called SEEK. The company's purpose is to help improve people's lives through a better career. SEEK Asia's database consist of over 500,000 corporate hirers and over 24 million candidates.
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