I’m sure each of us has rolled our eyes in frustration, or sighed in irritation at the antics of a co-worker. But what if “that” co-worker is YOU?

Improve your relationship with co-workers by following these tips:

Listen to your co-workers and value their opinions

Your co-workers can often keep you up-to-date with what is important and they may be a great asset.

Encourage and support your co-workers

When your co-workers do a great job, let them know. When they have worked silently on a project that is being recognized, give them proper recognition. When you appreciate others, they appreciate you.

Smile

No one wants to come to work and look at a sour face. When you smile, others will smile with you. We all know smiling is contagious.

Don’t be the office gossip

Gossip can not only be damaging to the relationships with your peers, it can also be detrimental to your career. Gossip is generally filled with a lot of untruths combined with some small truths. Regardless of whether you know what you are talking about, the best rule is to keep it to yourself unless it is directly related to you.

Stay in control of your emotions

We all have days when we are in a not-so-great mood and that’s okay. The important thing is to not allow your mood to affect those around you. If you’re having a particularly bad day you may wish to stay to yourself a little more and be mindful of the way you speak and respond to others.

Be positive

While venting is important during periods of frustration, choose who you vent to, when you vent, and how you vent. Don’t become the Office complainer. People will eventually go to great lengths to avoid you and you may find yourself on the outskirts of many inside circles.

Don’t talk down about your colleagues or your boss

This can be perceived as a very negative behavior. You also never know who may repeat what you’ve spoken. If this is done very frequently, others may begin to lose trust in you for fear you may talk negatively about them as well.

Be mindful of your volume

You don’t want to be recognized as the office loudmouth, so be mindful of your volume when you speak. Also, just because you enjoy Top 40 hits, doesn’t mean everyone around you feels the same. If you are listening to music, make sure it is at an appropriate volume. Keep phone conversations between you and the other person on the phone and don’t use speakerphone unless you absolutely have to.

Take it easy on the perfume/cologne. And please, no burnt popcorn

Just because you love Chanel No. 5 or Old Spice doesn’t mean you have to bathe in it, nor does it mean others will enjoy it. On the same, but different note, your co-workers may also not enjoy your beautiful filet of salmon reheated in the office microwave. Be considerate of others’ senses.

Remember your co-workers are people

Simply be aware that we are all humans and we all have our quirks, our bad days, and little things that just annoy others. Accept your co-workers for who they are. Be mindful of their feelings and courteous and they will likely return the favor.

What other tips do you have to be a better co-worker?

photo credit: Victor1558 via photopin cc

via World of Psychology

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