Getting Along with Coworkers

Posted by Joni Rose Jun 30, 2008

Employers want to hire people that get along with their coworkers. How can you demonstrate that you don’t leave dead bodies in your wake? Demonstrate these behaviours and you’ll find that your coworkers genuinely enjoy working with you. This will not only make your boss smile, it will be seen as a sign of leadership potential. Dale Carnegie in his book, How to Win Friends and Influence People shares his pointers for making friends in and out of work.

Show Genuine Interest

Be sincere with your attention and focus on being interested in what others are sharing with you.

Smile

People want to work around happy people. Smile, stay positive and have fun! Participate in social activities and other opportunities to have fun.

Remember Names

Use memory tricks to remember people’s names. If you are good at remembering someone’s name, they will remember you. The company org chart or directory will give you the spelling of their name and the department they work in. Also, some companies post pictures of their staff beside profiles which can really help you learn who is who.

Listen

Spend more time listening than talking. If you hope to really understand someone, you need to listen carefully when they are talking.

Discuss What Interests Others

Being knowledgeable about someone’s interests, especially if it is a person you want to impress, will create an immediate bond that can weather difficult situations or challenges.

Make Others Feel Important

Everyone wants to feel they are important. Offer your respect and look for ways you can appreciate the contribution of others.

Getting along with coworkers is an essential skill if you see yourself in a leadership role in the future. Hone these skills now so that you will be seen as someone who people want on their team.