It may have been published way back in 1936, but Dale Carnegie’s self-help book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” has been a massive best seller ever since for a good reason — being well-liked at work has got its perks. Respect, camaraderie, and — yes — influence all come from being likeable in the office. In need of a likeability boost? Follow these tips to be the best co-worker ever:
- Slow Down the Conversation: Everybody’s busy at work — but when you cut out the pleasantries to get right to the point, you could come off a harsh. Start your conversations with a genuine “How are you?” to ease into work issues. And try to greet your co-workers by name when you start a conversation with them to add a personalized touch (if you’re bad with names, use these tricks so you don’t accidentally call Dave “Rick”!).
- Ask for Help: This may seem counter-intuitive, but asking for favors around the office is an easy way to become likeable. Not being too haughty to ask for help makes you seem more relatable and down-to-earth. Plus, if you ask for help on occasion, your co-workers won’t feel awkward if they need to ask you for a hand every now and then.
- Stick Around for Happy Hour: If you’re the type who always skips out on after-work activities, try adding them into your schedule every now and then. Kicking back a beer after work occasionally is a great way to get to know your co-workers better — and to help them get to know you better too. Taking the time to build a genuine rapport with your work buddies means you don’t have to feign interest in their lives, and folks can totally tell whether you’re faking it or not.
- Pick Up After Yourself: Most workplaces have communal kitchens — and unfortunately, most workplaces also have that one guy or gal who always leaves the kitchen a total mess. That’s not the behavior of the best co-worker ever. Make it a habit of leaving communal work areas cleaner than you found them to earn major brownie points from your office mates (and making a new pot of coffee when it’s all out will make you down-right beloved).
- Leave the Phone in Your Pocket: Whether you’re in a meeting or just having an informal lunch, constantly glancing at your phone is always capital-A rude. Scrolling through Instagram while your co-workers are trying to converse shows how little you care about their thoughts and value their time. Keep the phone away to focus on the moment, so you’ll be known as the thoughtful one around the office.
What tips to you have to become the best co-worker ever? Share your ideas in the comments below!