At some jobs, you will find that co-workers share personal experiences, problems, and triumphs. In others, co-workers maintain professional relationships, keeping personal talk to a minimum. In either type of work environment, you will need to learn to get along with
people you work with.Think about difference you would feel in following two scenarios:
1. You work in an office where every time you leave room, you are topic of conversation. Not only that, but you constantly have to defend your work and role in company because your co-workers don’t think you are pulling your weight. On several occasions, arguments have escalated to yelling or fighting.
2. You work in an office where co-workers say, “Hello” or “Good Morning” first time they see you. When you have a question, you can find help within your company without feeling any differently about your abilities. (After all, you can’t know everything). And, when things get frustrating, you and your co-workers pull together to get job done.
Who would really want to wake up every morning for first job? Chances are company in first scenario has a high turnover rate and is not producing as it could. Nobody can work to their full potential if they do not feel good about showing up for their job each day.
You are not expected to be friends with all of your co-workers and supervisors. In fact, some employers discourage personal relationships within workplace. However, you are expected to respect your co-workers, company, and it’s clients and guests.
Understand that when a company hires you, they are offering you payment for your knowledge and skills, and your ability to use those skills in collaboration with everyone else at company. You are being hired as part of a team. As part of team, you are expected to treat every other team member with same respect and professionalism that you expect from them.
How to Show Respect
Here are some easy ways to show your co-workers respect, therefore nurturing a positive and productive workplace: - Smile – As silly as it sounds, a smile helps instantly put people at ease, and makes them want to smile, too. - Old-fashion manners – Take an extra two seconds to hold elevator door for someone you see sprinting to it. Be courteous and open doors, help co-workers carry handfuls of papers, and make a good habit of using “please” and “thank you.” - Listen – When someone is taking time to explain directions or offer you feedback, make eye contact and listen to what they’re saying. Think of how it makes you feel when you are talking to someone while they’re ruffling through papers and grunting an occasional “ah-huh”. - Offer assistance – If you see your co-worker in a jam, offer whatever help you can. Respect them by showing them that you are both on same team. There may come a day that you will need help getting an important project done by deadline. If you have shown this kind of respect to your co-workers, they will most likely show it to you.
