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Step 1
Set an example. Whatever your actions are toward others, they’ll mirror the same back to you. So if you make it a habit of sitting on someone’s desk, gossiping about co-workers or being late to meetings, you can expect others to show you the same respect (or lack thereof). It sounds cliché, but treat others as you want them to treat you.
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Step 2
Be friendly. If you’re a no-nonsense kind of person who hates small talk, at least make the effort to say something to everyone you encounter throughout the day, whether it’s a simple “Good morning,” "Great outfit. Love the shoes,” or “Nice job on the ABC project last week.” That way you’re always keeping the lines of communication open, which is the best way to avoid conflicts at work.
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Step 3
Pick your friends wisely. There’s a difference between being friendly and being a friend. At work it’s imperative that you never confuse the two. Confide in the wrong person, especially about work-related issues, and you could find yourself looking for a new job.
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Step 4
Work. It’s normal to have downtime on the job, but if you’re goofing off or surfing the Internet for large chunks of time every day, there’s a possibility that someone is going to notice. Even if it’s your fellow goof-off in the cubicle next door, never take for granted what he might tell the boss.
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Step 5
Keep records, especially with challenging projects. Make note of ever phone call, save your emails and organize your files. That way you’ll be prepared if and when your performance on the project is called into question.
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Step 6
Pick your battles to avoid conflicts at work. If there’s an issue at work that’s bothering you, there’s two choices--address it or let it go. A good rule of thumb is to only act when something has the potential to hurt you, personally or professionally. If you’re tired of “so-and-so” rolling into work 15 minutes late every day, let it go. You’re on time, that’s all that should matter. But if that same “so-and-so” is taking credit for your work or ideas, fight to get that credit back. The only exception may be if that “so-and-so” is your boss. Unless you’re prepared to create a volatile situation between you, give him the credit now knowing karma will pay you back later.
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Step 7
Stay calm in a confrontation. If you’re on the receiving end of someone else’s ill feelings or complaints, hear them out. “I’m sorry you feel that way,” is always a smart, safe response. “Let’s find a way to move forward on a more positive note.”
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Step 8
Accept others as they are to avoid conflicts at work. Who we work with is rarely up to us. Why fight it? If nobody else has been able to make her more polite or punctual by now, chances are you won’t have any more success. You’ll only be wasting your time and causing more problems between you.
