How to Maintain an Effective Working Relationship With Coworkers
An effective work relationship with co-workers allows for a positive environment. Your colleagues, supervisors and upper management view you as a team player. They respect your decisions and contributions. However, having a poor working relationship may lead to opposite results. Fellow workers and managers do not want to work with you. Aim for healthy relationships whether the job is temporary or permanent. Maintaining an effective relationship with co-workers takes effort, such as regular communication.
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Instructions
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Communicate with your co-workers. Ways to communicate include in-person visits, telephone calls and office memos. Regular co-worker communication allows the team to identify work problems, then the team acts together for a solution. Exchange a list of email addresses and telephone extensions to maintain communication. Update the list when staff changes occur.
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Respect your co-workers' office space. Courtesy leads to effective working relationships with co-workers. Before you enter a cubicle, seek permission to enter. Co-workers who want to talk will tell you. Ask for permission before borrowing desk items. When you borrow from your co-workers, return any items. Your co-workers will extend the same courtesy.
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Avoid interrupting your co-workers about non-work issues. Co-workers who experience constant non-work interruptions may complain. Brainstorm on how and when to discuss work issues. Having a scheduled morning meeting offers one solution. Keep the meeting short and review only work topics. Discuss non-work issues during authorized breaks.
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Minimize office gossip with your co-workers. Office gossip does not lead to an effective working relationship. Personal issues range from impending divorces to affairs. Companies hire staff to work, not gossip. Limit contact with co-workers who thrive on gossip. If co-workers begin gossiping, change the subject. Maintain your co-workers' respect and your employment.
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Perform your job duties and maintain the respect of co-workers. When you take unscheduled days off, your work load may get distributed. Completing additional work is not fair to your co-workers. Pre-schedule any appointments after your work shift. Use your personal and vacation days for appointments.
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Demonstrate a professional demeanor. Unprofessional behavior is not acceptable in the workplace. For example, you may disagree about a project. Do not argue or call anyone names. Listen to each co-worker's part of view. Then discuss a resolution. If tempers flare at work, separate yourself from the situation.
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Tips & Warnings
Avoid going to managers to resolve conflict.
Offer constructive criticism to co-workers when asked.
References
Resources
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