With ongoing lockdown and COVID19 restrictions, many of us have not sat at our desk and seen the familiar walls of our office in a long time. Whether you’re content with working from home, or hating every minute of it, one thing’s for sure: work has looked very different for us all for the past few months. One huge aspect of this is the lack of social connection we’ve been experiencing, resulting in feelings of isolation and loneliness. We often take advantage of workplace friendships we cultivate with our fellow colleagues, whether that be via a communal morning coffee, a chat in the kitchen or just general interaction in meetings and across the desk.
With the expected ease of restrictions and end of lockdown on the horizon, many of us are gearing up to get back on the train and into the office. However, in this timeframe there may have been many new hires to the team, lowered morale among staff and disrupted existing relationships. This could leave you wondering ‘how can I continue to build strong relationships with my co-workers?’
Here are 5 tips for strengthening your relationships with your workmates that you can use now, and take with you to your next job.
- Find similarities
Meeting new team mates and connecting with existing colleagues can be done by finding similarities between the two of you. They could be work related, leisure activities you both enjoy out of office, food-based or simply similar situations such as you both have children. It doesn’t matter if this workmate is in a higher position than you, you can still relate to them on a human level, which will allow you to build a stronger relationship with easier and more natural streams of communication.
Research from Google’s human resources department found that people were most productive working under a boss who also showed an empathic, compassionate side. This was because these leaders had one-on-one meetings with social chit-chat that fostered a positive relationship between the two. A sense of similarity and familiarity are the most powerful tools to join people’s interests and allow them to feel they’re on the same team.
- Partake in meetings
While it sounds simple, a great way to earn the respect of your colleagues is by proving yourself to be an engaged member of the team by partaking in meetings. Much like a group project at university, when you’re the only person participating in the assignment you begin to resent the others on your team. By partaking in meetings, offering your opinion and putting your hand up for tasks, you’re showing your colleagues that you respect their time and efforts by giving the same back. It also allows you to support and value the ideas of your co-workers when they voice their innovations and shows that you have a general interest in being a part of the team.
Plus, if you’re new to a team or have others that have been recently hired, it will help you get to know each other faster.
- Be self-aware
We all have misfortunes that happen in our lives and when we’re experiencing them they may feel like they follow you like a shadow wherever you go. If you bring a bad mood or unsettled emotions to the workplace it then introduces a negative vibe and it can often come out in the things you say or way you behave to colleagues. To maintain positive relationships with those in your team, ensure you’re self-aware about how you’re behaving and what you’re saying and doing. Whether you’re overtired, feeling unwell or down in the dumps, being mindful and self-aware will assist you in not projecting that on to others and potentially creating conflict or strained relationships. Of course, you don’t have to always be positive and happy – that’s not possible – but keeping outside matters outside of the workplace will assist your relationships within and assist your productivity. One method to do this is to compartmentalise, by putting the issue in a box and dealing with it when you leave the office.
- Avoid gossiping
Although it can sometimes be difficult to not chat especially when you’re close with colleagues, office politics and gossip is one way to ruin relationships quickly. If you’re experiencing conflict with another, schedule time with your manager to discuss, rather than speaking to your workmates about it and potentially creating drama. Gossiping both exacerbates the situation you find yourself in and runs the risk of creating mistrust between others. As they say, “if they gossip to you, they’ll gossip about you” painting you in a light that looks both immature and untrustworthy.
- Mindfully listen to others
You may feel that constantly voicing your opinion shows you have a general interest and enthusiasm in your work, by not allowing others a voice to share theirs you may be indirectly undermining them and their skills. By mindfully listening to your co-workers you’ll encourage them to keep sharing and innovating and show them that you value their contributions to the team. It also shows that you’re a team player who’s willing to work with others.
