How to Become Popular at Work

A work place and high school in one sentence is typically sneered at because no one wants to work in a place that feels as though you’re still in high school. Believe it or not, popularity back then plays just as big of a role as it does now. Only difference? You’re no longer under 18 years old. This article will give you tips on how to be popular at work.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Networking skills
• Leadership capabilities
• Intelligent conversation

1. How does one become popular? Simple: get to know everyone and have everyone know or see you. Networking may be one way to view it. But how do you network? Networking is all about making sure you keep in contact with everyone you have or work with.

2. To start, a simple rule to abide by is to always keep in contact with EVERYONE you have ever worked with. Doesn’t matter if they sit across from you or work in a different State. If you have ever had another colleague assist you with any small or big project, DON’T forget them. You should sometimes send a “Hello” their way and perhaps ask about their department and what exactly they do. Always seem interested (even if you’re not) and ask polite and intelligent questions about their line of work and perhaps how they got there. This is how you start networking so they don’t forget you and maybe one day, could help you land a better job.

3. Knowing everyone in your department is an excellent start. But don’t stop there. You should always greet other people when you’re waiting for an elevator or heating up your food in the cafeteria. Just strike up a conversation about the weather or something witty about what you’re both doing. After they have responded and warmed up, then hold your hand to shake and introduce yourself and what department you are in. They will respond in kind and always remember them and their first name so you stay on first name basis. When you see each other again, always greet and ask how they’re doing. In time, if you really hitch it off, you might even e-mail each other here and there.

4. You always want to be seen. Knowing that people will be watching you or glancing at you, you should always dress to impress. People, no matter how hard they try not to judge or be affected by a person’s appearance, actually are. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe, but make sure that your clothes don’t have holes or are torn in places where they shouldn’t be. Never wear a mask of perfume or cologne (you WILL be nick named Skunk) and don’t plaster on the hair spray or beauty products. You should look pleasant, not too sexually appealing or too plain-Jane. You want people to remember you, but not for a stereo typed. It’s proven fact that if you’re too pretty, people will automatically assume you to be a snob or nothing but a pretty face. This may be a stereo type, but other woman or men will probably never really welcome you for their own natural instincts. I’m not saying you should “ugly” up, but maybe down play a little so no one will be threatened or annoyed by you.

5. Talk. Talk. Not too much, though. You don’t want to be avoided because you talk too much. Only talk with the appropriate length of time. Practice having something intelligent to talk about. Don’t always use the same line of how’s the weather or how are you? I’m not saying you should be talking about gossip, either. But mention something common about pop culture or politics (depending on who you’re talking to) and get their insight. When you take the time to briefly talk to someone, it continues to build your relationship.

6. Being popular typically means that you have to be liked. Even if you have a bad personality, there has to be something about you that made you popular. The easiest way to become popular is to help out. Either by volunteering when there are opportunities through your work-place with an organization or even assisting another colleague with extra work. Being on good terms with your Boss and your Boss’s Boss is also a good way to become popular. You should be an easy person to approach because you should know everyone and you should really study your line of work so other’s can depend on you and come to you.

7. One last note on being popular: the more popular you are, the faster you can fall from grace. It sucks, but once you are popular, you are in the eyes and possibly mouths (as in gossip) of many people. If you fall from grace, you should consider moving to a new position or working extra hard to regain your respect and to remind other’s why you were so popular in the first place.

Tips & Warnings

• A good way to become a leader at work is to always volunteer to coordinate certain events and functions. If you have food days or a baby shower’s at work, you should always take the initiative to help coordinate all aspects of that function so your Boss and colleagues can observe you as a leader with great organizational skills. Of course, only take on this task if you can do it. Last thing you would want to do for your reputation is to fail miserably at it.
• Don’t just randomly stop people in the hall way. Greeting strangers typically work well if you’re both doing the same thing (it breaks the ice and is a commonality you both have at that exact moment). For example: waiting for something, talking to the same person, both washing your hands in the lavatory, etc.
• When you talk to someone about a certain topic, be sure to talk about something where you’re sure they might be able to relate to. The last thing you want to do is make someone uncomfortable because they don’t know much on the subject or prefer not to talk about it at work.
• When attempting to befriend or be on good terms with your Boss, don’t be a brown nose. Everyone can spot one the minute you say something to your Boss. To avoid being a brown nose, always remember to never be too excited around them, too eager, and avoid being their lap dog. You should be seen as a valued team-member (by helping out and learning your line of work quickly and effectively) and a leader because when you are popular, people will follow you and respect you.