Getting Along at Work: 5 Top Tips
13 February 2014
Read by 2206 persons
“A friendship founded on business is better than a business founded on friendship” John D. Rockefeller Jr. It can be difficult to get along with some people in our daily lives.
This is especially true at work, where we are required to collaborate with colleagues, sharing a small workspace and spending forty hours a week together. This could be your “big boss”, a nervous colleague, or several coworkers who turn your workday into a real-life remake of the American series, Prison Break. To help you manage stress and frustration with communication, we have developed some strategies.
First, try to understand why you might be difficult to work with. Ask close friends to be honest and point out character traits that might annoy others. Don't get defensive or embarrassed by their feedback. Listen to their suggestions and accept that everyone has flaws. The best thing you can do at work is get to know your colleagues and try to improve your relationships with them. Instead of focusing on what irritates you, observe your own daily life. Pay close attention to your thoughts and feelings for a few days, and note any changes. The source of workplace disruption could be your colleague's mood swings or a chatty coworker. Whatever it is, identify the problem, because once you know what affects you, you can learn to control your reactions. Ultimately, you'll avoid conflicts and frustrations, making your workplace much more enjoyable.
It's no accident that we have two ears and one mouth. The more you listen to those around you, the easier it will be to understand them and be effective at work. Find out what bothers the people you work with. Do things for them as easily as you would for yourself, hoping they understand that you genuinely care about their well-being. In a short time, you may even get the same in return. We all try to do our best, and we eventually succeed. Understanding those around you (including colleagues) is the second step to understanding yourself. Take it slow.
Your boss is your boss; there's nothing you can do about that. If you disagree, feel free to share your opinion and offer alternatives. However, accept a “no” when you hear it. If your position doesn't allow you to change what your superior has approved, don't insist. Sometimes you'll face situations where authority is in the wrong hands. These situations will test you, but be patient and flexible; you will be rewarded. As a general rule, if you don't share the same idea, always have a better alternative to present.
A machine works thanks to the interaction of millions of small components working together. If there's a problem between two components, the process may fail. The same concept applies to the workplace. All members work towards the same goal, common to the company, but it can only be achieved with the cooperation of each component. It's important to recognize the benefits of teamwork for a company's success. You were hired for your expertise and skills, but your skills are considered by management as values used in association with those of all other employees. Contribute to the company without taking all the credit.
Politics and religion are off-limits. The easiest way to upset someone is to challenge their strongest convictions in these areas. To avoid conflict, don't discuss these topics with people you have strictly professional relationships with. There's simply no reason to complicate your work environment.
No matter where you work or what you do, the key to a good work environment is respecting your colleagues and finding compromises. If you know how to handle difficult personalities and be agreeable, you'll avoid many perilous situations and contribute to a calm and positive atmosphere at work.
http://blog.telelangue.com
Posted February 13, 2014.
This is especially true at work, where we are required to collaborate with colleagues, sharing a small workspace and spending forty hours a week together. This could be your “big boss”, a nervous colleague, or several coworkers who turn your workday into a real-life remake of the American series, Prison Break. To help you manage stress and frustration with communication, we have developed some strategies.
First, try to understand why you might be difficult to work with. Ask close friends to be honest and point out character traits that might annoy others. Don't get defensive or embarrassed by their feedback. Listen to their suggestions and accept that everyone has flaws. The best thing you can do at work is get to know your colleagues and try to improve your relationships with them. Instead of focusing on what irritates you, observe your own daily life. Pay close attention to your thoughts and feelings for a few days, and note any changes. The source of workplace disruption could be your colleague's mood swings or a chatty coworker. Whatever it is, identify the problem, because once you know what affects you, you can learn to control your reactions. Ultimately, you'll avoid conflicts and frustrations, making your workplace much more enjoyable.
It's no accident that we have two ears and one mouth. The more you listen to those around you, the easier it will be to understand them and be effective at work. Find out what bothers the people you work with. Do things for them as easily as you would for yourself, hoping they understand that you genuinely care about their well-being. In a short time, you may even get the same in return. We all try to do our best, and we eventually succeed. Understanding those around you (including colleagues) is the second step to understanding yourself. Take it slow.
Your boss is your boss; there's nothing you can do about that. If you disagree, feel free to share your opinion and offer alternatives. However, accept a “no” when you hear it. If your position doesn't allow you to change what your superior has approved, don't insist. Sometimes you'll face situations where authority is in the wrong hands. These situations will test you, but be patient and flexible; you will be rewarded. As a general rule, if you don't share the same idea, always have a better alternative to present.
A machine works thanks to the interaction of millions of small components working together. If there's a problem between two components, the process may fail. The same concept applies to the workplace. All members work towards the same goal, common to the company, but it can only be achieved with the cooperation of each component. It's important to recognize the benefits of teamwork for a company's success. You were hired for your expertise and skills, but your skills are considered by management as values used in association with those of all other employees. Contribute to the company without taking all the credit.
Politics and religion are off-limits. The easiest way to upset someone is to challenge their strongest convictions in these areas. To avoid conflict, don't discuss these topics with people you have strictly professional relationships with. There's simply no reason to complicate your work environment.
No matter where you work or what you do, the key to a good work environment is respecting your colleagues and finding compromises. If you know how to handle difficult personalities and be agreeable, you'll avoid many perilous situations and contribute to a calm and positive atmosphere at work.
http://blog.telelangue.com
Posted February 13, 2014.
