Shannon Waller, the director of new program development at Strategic Coach, offers six simple but effective ways to create camaraderie and develop strong working relationships with your coworkers.
1. Smile and be friendly
If you're the type of person who comes into work and walks straight to your desk, immediately opening up your email and tuning out everything and everyone around you, you might want to reconsider your attitude. Not only does this behaviour isolate you, it isolates others, too.
While you may want to maintain a work-only mentality at the office, smiling and acting friendly toward others will go a long way, says Waller. "Say, 'Good morning. How are you? How's it going?' Be friendly and open," she advises. "You look less intimidating when you smile."
2. Be a team player
Help others when you can. If someone needs help carrying a box or stapling some documents together, or just wants to bounce an idea off of you, make yourself available. "You want to be relied upon to help out when need be," says Waller.
Being available and supportive will help you move ahead in your job and progress in your field. "You'll be perceived as someone who people want to work with," she explains. "You're not just there to check email, you're there to interact as well."
3. Be aware of how you come across
If you are not aware of your body language, you may come across in a way that is unintentional. "Your body language and tone of voice convey more than your actual words. People are listening for that," says Waller. So think before you react and put more effort into creating a friendly impression.
For example, if a coworker comes to talk to you, instead of barking, "What do you want?" ask him politely how you can help. If you're too swamped to chat, let him know that you'd love to talk right now, but you can't, Waller advises. Be sure to provide the reason why and then set a time to reconnect.
Page 1 of 2 -- On page 2, find three more ways to help build positive relationships with your coworkers
