Despite the possibility of hybrid and remote work, people spend most of their time with colleagues than with anyone else. Having a good relationship with your coworkers can elevate your mood, job satisfaction, and productivity. Whether you are looking to improve your relationship with your coworkers or sustain a harmonious workplace relationship, there are a few things discussed in this article that you can implement immediately.

No matter of your job role, you can reap the benefits of a good relationship with the people you work with every day. In this article, we will discuss 6 steps to improve your workplace relationships.

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1. Be someone to rely on

First and foremost, we all love people that keep their promises and that you can trust. Consistently doing what you said you were going to establishes you as a trustworthy person. Being dependable goes beyond simply being on time and doing your job responsibilities with due care and skill. It also has to do with clear communication and time management. It’s imperative to be clear when you can help a coworker with a task, or if you will not be able to finish something by the due date. Moreover, don’t bite off more than you can chew. Be realistic about what you have on your plate, so you don’t fall into a trap of overpromising and under delivering.

2. Respect your co-workers

We all appreciate when we are treated with respect. Although it might not be possible to be friends with everyone, it is absolutely important to show everyone respect. In general, be polite and kind to everyone at work. Try to avoid things that might be offensive to the other person. Taking these steps can immediately show that you have respect for the person’s boundaries. Moreover, encourage people at work to be open and be able to freely express themselves to you. Moreover, listen to any suggestions that your coworkers give you. It will show that you care and respect their opinion and expertise. Lastly, never take credit for someone else’s work and make sure to give credit where it is due.

3. Shine your light

Can you recall the instances where you were not having a necessarily good day but someone happy put a smile on your face? Happiness is quite addictive. Therefore, we advise you not to fake your emotions, but to try to stay positive and avoid complaining and negativity. If you overall act positive at work, your coworkers will give you a break on the days you just can’t muster a smile.

4. Stay away from drama

Drama might make for a binge-worthy TV, but it’s best to steer clear from it in the workplace. You can unintentionally show a preference to one of the sides of the argument and that may affect your relationship with that person or group of people. Therefore, avoid office gossip and drama as much as you can.

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5. Listen to people

Sometimes people might have a lot on their plates with work and they need someone understanding to vent to. You can always offer your co-worker a friendly ear so they can feel heard. By having an honest and open conversation, you will cultivate mutual respect and good rapport. This should not be confused with gossip and drama, ensure to keep things that were shared with you private. Being empathetic and listening to someone caringly can go a long way building relationship.

6. Find a way to get along with the most difficult people

As we all know you cannot precisely choose with whom you work. You may find yourself in a tough position where it would seem challenging to work with some of your colleagues because you communicate, think or work in different ways. Therefore, no matter how much difficulty you may experience, you should try your best to get along with them on a personal level. Establishing a better relationship with them will make your work much more pleasant.

Find what fits you

Having great relationships with people you work with almost every day is crucial. At the same time, it is important to always be yourself and not compromise your values and beliefs in order to make these relationships work.

If you find yourself in a position where despite all your efforts you are not comfortable in your workplace environment, then it might be time for a new job.

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Before choosing your new employer, it is good ensure that the company’s work environment and people meet your expectations. One of the ways you can gain insight into a company’s authentic culture and meet its employees is through an informal lunch. A platform like CareerLunch helps you to connect with top companies over lunch or online where you can meet an employee within your field. Through such authentic interactions, you can make more informed judgments about how you will fit in each company’s workplace. You can start discovering your career opportunities with top employers and apply for lunches with just your LinkedIn profile.