Hey There,

Co-workers. We love them, then we hate them, then we are indifferent about them. Quite a roller coaster with these people you have to spend a considerable amount of time with each and every day. Studies have proven that giving your colleagues positive comment and generally maintaining a healthy relationship with them gives you a more positive attitude towards your work and in general a healthier lifestyle. Want to know how to turn your mini-nightmare of an office into a place that you do not mind being at? Find out in the rest of this post.

#1 Write A Note

You could be the one that starts the culture at your company. When someone does something nice for you or the company, you could write a note that says so, leave it on their desk or cubicle and although they might not immediately admit, they would think it’s a really nice thing to do and would be encouraged to do better at their work.

#2 Give Credit

When someone helps you out on a task, mention in subtly to the rest of the team or publicly at the Monday General Meeting. This would make your co-workers more open to assisting you when next you ask for help. No one likes the person that does little work and then takes all the credit. It could even be mentioned subtly on the email thread. If they are too many, you could say a statement that says it all.

#3 Give Them Constructive Feedback

Tell them what they did right. What you learnt from them. How they have made you better. It would not kill to put your ego aside and admit to a co-worker that you have learnt something from them. They have also learnt something from someone, so it is no big deal. Your office should be a learning hub where everyone can learn from everyone despite your department or social differences.

#4 Tell The Boss

When you see a fellow co-worker doing great at what they do, tell your boss. I mean, they can’t blow their own trumpet and they may remain unsung heroes at the office or on a project. Mentioning this would make your boss aware or re-affirm your boss’s position on the person’s work prowess.

#5 Offer A Helping Hand

We usually often have times where we are done doing all the major things on our to-do list. Don’t just ignore the employee that is right next to you struggling to do so much work under so much pressure while you laugh away at Instagram funny videos and sip coffee. We know it is your time and you chose how you manage and micro-manage it, but it wouldn’t hurt to offer a helping hand.

#6 Learn To Accept Constructive Criticism

Not everyone has accepted the art of accepting criticism; most people spend too much time bickering about the individual that was bold enough to point out their weakness. You could spend this time analyzing if the criticism holds truth to a considerable extent and get to work fixing it. This way you become better and only better over time. When a co-worker criticizes you, learn to take it with a smile, go back to the drawing board and fix it. But remember, some criticisms are baseless and not everyone at work has your best interest at heart.

#7 Your Co-Workers Come First, Your Work Comes Next

Learn to be cultured and mannered while addressing your co-workers. They are people first, then workers next. We all know it is very important for you to get the template format for your presentation at the office for 9am, but spare those first few characters to ask Samantha how her weekend is going before you dive straight in to ask for what you need. This would make you more approachable and more appreciative.

#8 Start & Implement A Company Tradition

Every company has it’s company culture. Look around you and analyze what most of the co-workers like and would most likely agree with, then propose the idea. If the idea flies, take the extra step to assist your superiors in implementing the culture if you cannot do it all by yourself. It could be something as simple as nominating someone at a meeting and everyone at the office saying something positive about them. This could be a form of behavioral assessment in a relaxed form.

#9 Please, Sorry & Thank You.

You know those three ‘magic words’ they taught each and every one of us as far back as we were in grade school? Yup. Please, sorry and thank you. They have not lost their importance over the years. You should learn to use them as often as you can. It goes a long way with your co-workers, everyone loves polite co-workers.

You should implement these nine tips to making your workplace feel like home or at least somewhere you do not have to find yourself cussing under your breath day in, day out. Your co-workers would feel appreciated and you would feel better about your job and office on the long run.

Regards,

PushCV Content Team.