How To Not Be The Office Outsider
Given that you're already spending hours of your day at work, you might as well make it enjoyable. Getting to know your co-workers better and building healthy, positive relationships is one way to do that! After all, if you enjoy spending time with the people you work with, it makes the day go by so much more quickly. Here are 20 helpful ways you can improve your relationship with co-workers.
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1. Stop Gossiping
If you want to get along with everyone in the workplace, don't be the person that's always spreading unkind rumors and gossip no one wants to hear about. All that does is create a toxic work environment no one wants to be a part of! And you can best believe they'll give you the side eye for it.
2. Do Your Part
If you're working on a group assignment with a team that requires everyone to pull their weight, you better do your job. Because remember how annoying it was during school when you had to do everyone's tasks for them? That's 10x worse when it's in a professional setting and you're dealing with adults.
3. Attend Work Socials
You'll never really be able to get close to your co-workers if you don't make the effort to spend time with them. Attending work socials is the best way to do this; you'll get to see a whole different side of them compared to when they're working on the clock.
4. Provide Help When Needed
If you have a co-worker leaning on you for help and you have some spare time, it doesn't hurt to lend them a hand. After all, it's a back and forth. If you don't provide them with help, you can expect the same rejection to be done to you if you're ever the one in need instead.
5. Don't Bother Them
When people are busy working, it's simple knowledge that you should leave them be. Bothering, annoying, and distracting them isn't going to win you any brownie points. If you really don't want the title of "Most Annoying Worker," let people do their work unless you have something important and relevant to share.
6. Be Respectful
As it goes with any relationship, being respectful should be priority number one. You can't build meaningful, healthy relationships with others if you don't give them the respect they deserve. That doesn't change when you're in the workplace.
7. Actively Listen
To build better relationships with your co-workers, you need to actively listen to them whether it's about work or not. If they're trying to strike up a conversation with you, put in the effort to converse back! And if they're trying to explain something about work, you better be listening with intent to learn - there's nothing more annoying than trying to teach someone who's ignoring you.
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8. Reach Out When You Need Help
Instead of sitting there not knowing how to do things, which effectively wastes other people's time too, reach out and ask for help whenever you need it. Not only does this help create a trustworthy bond between you and your co-workers, it shows that you care about getting things done and doing your best work.
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9. Show Your Appreciation
It doesn't matter if your co-worker did something small like grabbing you a coffee, or something huge like helping you with a project, whatever it is, always show your appreciation. Workplace environments are the best when everyone comes together to create healthy, mutually respectful relationships and showing your gratitude is a great step to help you get there.
10. Be Reliable
Arguably the worst kind of co-worker is the one you can't trust to get anything done. Whether they're always late with assignments or simply do a bad job, being someone you can't depend on will definitely make you the least favorite in the office. That's why it's important to hold yourself accountable and strive to be a reliable worker others can count on, not just for them, but for your own personal growth too.
11. Take Lunch Breaks Together
Sometimes you need to take yourself and your co-workers outside of the workspace to really get to know them. So why not try to do that by taking lunch breaks together? Grab some food or a coffee and sit down to chat. You'll be surprised by how different they might be when they're not busy working away!
12. Maintain Boundaries
Even if you want to have a better relationship with your co-workers, it doesn't mean you should be going around sharing your personal details and asking for theirs. Remember, you're in a professional environment. Keep certain things to yourself.
13. Keep Your Workspace Clean
You might be thinking this only benefits you, but in reality, everyone appreciates it when workers keep their own space clean and tidy. It can be uncomfortable sitting next to or constantly having to see messes that impact your environment. That's why you should always put in the extra effort to ensure you're doing your part.
14. Trust Them
No one appreciates feeling like they're being underestimated or doubted, so learn to trust your co-workers to do their job. You're all equals, which means you have to treat them like they are too.
15. Be Positive
Positive energy is infectious and always appreciated no matter where you are. It's true even when you're in a professional working environment! People enjoy being around others who radiate kindness and good vibes, meaning if you want to be a friendly face in the office others love, you have to be positive.
16. Never Bring Up Their Failures
Everyone makes mistakes at work and that's okay. But what's not okay is having your co-workers bring up past failures as if they determine your capabilities now. Not only is it exceptionally rude, it can bring back bad memories for them that have already been forgotten.
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17. Handle Disputes With Care
Sometimes, disagreements and disputes might come up and it's how you handle them that really matters. It's better not to say something that you'll regret, so always keep your anger and frustration in check. Deal with it as professionally and respectfully as possible so you don't upset the work environment.
18. Exchange Greetings
A simple "hello" or "have a good day" can really change and improve your relationships at work even if you think it won't make a difference. Just acknowledging your co-workers presence and extending a kind hello or goodbye, can really make them feel seen and be more comfortable reaching out to you.
19. Smile
It's not just what you say, it's how you look too! If you always look grumpy and upset, no one would ever want to approach you! A simple smile can really make a world of difference if you're trying to get along better with your co-workers.
20. Look For Common Ground
It's easy to see your colleagues simply as well, colleagues, but if you want to break the barrier, try to find some common ground. Do you both enjoy the same sport, music, or movies? If so, don't be afraid to bring it up and share your own thoughts! It's an easy way to create some unlikely friendships.
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