Being a strict boss or an obedient employee may help you in your current job but being a better co-worker works for life. Here are 10 tips to become one
You’ve read on these very pages how as a boss you should be lenient and strict as required, and how much of your allegiance as an employee your company deserves. Improving your workings as an officer or leader may make your ride easy, but it is the camaraderie with your immediate co-workers which will count in the long run, and add value to you as a professional.
Take a moment and think about how your impression among colleagues is a factor which could have far-reaching effects on your career. While you may not care what Sujata down in accounting or Ajit the administrative assistant thinks of you, it’s important to remember that Ajit may go on to become the administrative assistant to the potential new boss you have an interview with. And one day Sujata just may be in charge of auditing your expense receipts at a future company. (Now you’re interested, aren’t you?)
The single most important thing to remember is to be considerate, say experts. If you truly think about how your behaviour may impact others, you will understand how to behave courteously, improving your rapport with co-workers. Here are 10 more tips to help you be a better co-worker...
1 KEEP IT DOWN
Whether it’s talking on your phone, singing to your iPod, or slamming file drawers with a deafening bang, reduce the volume of noises emanating from your office or desk.
2 CHECK YOUR EGO
Watch your bragging. It’s great that you recently aced the deal with a difficult client or bought an original branded jeans dirt cheap at Colaba yesterday. Most of your coworkers don’t want to be subjected to hearing the endless reasons why you are so great. Wait to earn a compliment rather than try to force people to deliver one.
3 AVOID POLITICS – I
When the in-house gossip queen or king “confides” insider information to you and is waiting to hear your reaction and rebuttal, don’t bite, even if it’s about someone you dislike. Scandalous comments flourish on the office grapevine occasionally and you don’t want your remarks to come back to haunt you.
4 AVOID POLITICS – II
Today’s politically polarised environment makes discussing even the most harmless issue a potential touchstone for office controversy. So keep your ideas for obtaining world peace or solving economic dilemmas under your hat.
5 CLEAN UP
Like Robert Fulghum said in his bestseller All I really wanted to know learned in Kindergarten, this old advice your mummyjee gave you is spot-on. Make sure you come across as a neat, safai-loving fellow who cleans the table after eating and doesn’t come to office in stinky socks on rainy days.
6 SILENCE IT
In office, the best thing after increment is often silence. Silly noises elicit more grimaces than giggles. Avoid annoying phone ring tones or mp3 songs on your computer. While you may enjoy hearing Do you wana partner over and over every time your Nokia phone rings, you can bet you’re alone in your amusement.
7 CUT THE CLUTTER
Make sure your thriving collection of stickers and danglers doesn’t cascade over onto adjoining desks or the many posters of Sania plastered around your area don’t stick up over cube dividers. While these items may make your cube ‘homey,’ the view from the other side is far less pleasing.
8 DON’T OVER EMOTE
Try to not let your moments of personal or professional unhappiness blanket the office. Co-workers will cringe at your ability to put a negative spin on everything.
9 BE HAPPY TO HELP
Often, you’re with colleagues more often than you are with your family at home. Developing a helping camaraderie with your colleagues and a nurturing attitude with your juniors would definitely make you more friends than foes. A small favour here and there would be paid back some time later, with added interest!
10 CUT SMALL TALK
While it’s important to bond with fellow co-workers, everyone is there to work. By all means share a quick little story that will brighten their day. But don’t plop down in a chair and kill a good hour with idle chatter. It’s crucial to share a rapport, but keep it professional in the end – it’s not your junior college after all.
