| We all spend a great deal of time building our | | | | Don't treat your co-workers as if they were |
| business through serving our customers. Have you | | | | numbers or transactions on your rostrum. Treat them |
| thought about how you could increase your chances | | | | in a friendly respectful manner. Always look for ways |
| of business success, and also make your business run | | | | in which you can be of service to them. |
| smoothly by building positive relationships at work? | | | | However, when asking for something, watch the |
| Co-workers include those above and below you as | | | | tone that you use, and the way that you ask. For |
| well as those at your level in the company; they | | | | example, don't just give a command like "Take this |
| include management, salespeople, assistants, | | | | down to room 12134," or "Look up this information". |
| colleagues, etc., and anyone you work with within | | | | Instead, use lead-ins to soften the tone, such as |
| your organization. These are all people who are in a | | | | "When can you take this down to room 12134?" Or, |
| position to help you in many large and small | | | | "When you speak with Mrs. Jones, please get this |
| indeterminable ways in your business. For example, | | | | information?" It doesn't hurt to say please and thank |
| the manager who would rush the order for you that | | | | you. |
| the customer is constantly calling about; or the | | | | 2). Know what your co-workers expect of you. |
| assistant that would stay late or come in over the | | | | To avoid misunderstandings, have a clear idea of |
| weekend because you need to get that shipment | | | | what's expected of you; and in turn, let others know |
| out. There's even the colleague who hears of a | | | | from the beginning what you expect of them. Double |
| situation that would be optimal for you, and gives | | | | check what is needed from you and when and |
| you a lead on the opportunity. These are all examples | | | | where it's needed. |
| of people who have great working relationships with | | | | 3). Make sure that all the information that you give |
| co-workers. It shows that your co-workers regard | | | | and receive is complete. |
| you with respect and that you communicate | | | | When you ask a co-worker to do a task, make sure |
| effectively, you work as a team and you have | | | | that you give them all the information (at one time) |
| provided them with the tools that they need to do | | | | that they'll need to finish the task. If you're not sure |
| their jobs effectively. | | | | what all they will need, ask. Don't hold information |
| Great working relationships start with creating trust | | | | back because you think that they won't need it. Let |
| at work, and trust is built on respect. It's about being | | | | them make that decision. |
| reliable, saying what you mean and doing what you | | | | Likewise, when your job is to gather the information |
| say. It's also about respecting your co-workers' | | | | from your co-workers, let them know ahead of time |
| abilities, time and position. | | | | all the information that you will need. Don't keep |
| Here are specific actions to take that will improve | | | | asking for more and more information. |
| your working relationship with your co-workers. | | | | Listed above are actions to take that will improve |
| 1). Always act in a professional manner | | | | your relationships with your co-workers, and will allow |
| First of all, being professional doesn't mean being cold | | | | you to become a more valued employee whom your |
| and aloof. It includes being friendly, genuine, | | | | co-workers can count on. In this way you will obtain |
| courteous and acting out of respect for other people. | | | | greater office efficiency and co-worker loyalty. |