-
Step 1
Lose your pride. Give others genuine compliments and remember that no one is perfect. If you are trying to get along with someone whose tendencies you dislike, remember it will be easier to deal with them if you are on good terms.
As annoying as the anal retentive guy or gal in the next cube can be, try to see things from their perspective. -
Step 2
Step up and take blame when it is your fault. People usually have a pretty good idea who did what to whom, so you might as well own up to it. It shows character. Make sure you have a plan in place for dealing with the problem and the uphill battle becomes easier.
-
Step 3
Take time to actively listen and understand your coworkers. It can be an annoying drain when you are in the middle of a deadline or project and the office gossip decides to hunker down in your cubicle for a visit, but it they are the type to take things the wrong way and then gossip about you, the time you spend placating them may be well worth a few minutes delay.
If you absolutely have to get rid of them, the best move is to stand up and start walking toward the door. This is a safe nonverbal clue that will usually allow you to shake them. If you really have nowhere to be and they know that, tell them that you have to go to the bathroom. If someone is in the mood to gossip, they will have moved on to other victims by the time you get back.
If they follow you into the bathroom..... well then you are dealing with someone who has a limited social filter and you will need to be more direct. -
Step 4
Sandwich negatives.
The thought goes that you sandwich a negative between two positive items, such as:
"I am really interested in what we are talking about, but I am under a tight deadline and need to work on this now, can I catch up with you later?"
The "I am under a tight deadline and need to work on this now" which really means "Get the hell away from me" is softened by you being interested and wanting to get back together with them later.
Just make sure you follow up and do what you say you are going to do, or they will feel blown off. -
Step 5
Which brings me to this step:
Do what you say you are going to do. Many times this is phrased as "under promise and over deliver", but I feel I do better trying to give the most accurate representation of what my intentions, and more often capabilities are.
it is hard to be held accountable or in contempt if you always keep your word.
I find that people who don;t keep their words are usually doing so either because they are too weak to say "no" to a request in the first place, or too lazy to follow through.
If you fall into either of these categories, then you need to change you ways.
Trust me, you are getting away with a lot less at the office than you think you are.
Comments
elizabethcares said
on 7/30/2009 very true.
elizabethcares said
on 7/30/2009 that was right on.
writedesign said
on 4/16/2009 Great info! I wish every employee could do this. 5*
sonni57 said
on 4/15/2009 Thanks for the good info on how to get along with people from work.