Relationships at work

How to improve your relationships at work
The relationship you have with your colleagues or team members is important. Not only does it often define your emotional condition, it can guide your effectiveness, career growth and long-term success. Here are a few tips which can help you improve your relations at work:

Weigh your words

How one says something counts for far more than what one says. When confronted with a difficult situation, one must always say less than one thinks. Curbing one’s tongue in a stressful situation is critical to avoid unnecessary disputes or misunderstandings.

Keep your word

Whenever you make a promise, no matter what the cost, be prepared to keep it. The easiest way to lose the respect of others is by promising things/ facilities that cannot be delivered.

Be supportive and encouraging

Never let an opportunity to show kindness or encouragement to others to pass by. Praise good work, regardless of who did it. Sometimes, one can turn even the most hardened of fellow workers into real softies once they realise that you are not afraid to compliment them or be encouraging.

Know people

Learn about others’ interests, their homes and families and their problems. Gaining the confidence of fellow workers is made much easier when you demonstrate that you care. Make everyone feel important.

Be positive

Learn to be positive ‘magnet’ with your attitude towards yourself and others. Maintaining a cheerful attitude at all times will not only make others more comfortable in your presence, but you will feel better as well. Develop your attitude, which clearly says ‘I care about you and want to get along.’

How to deal with your mistakes at work

Everyone make mistakes at work. Learning from mistakes leads to growth and to greater understanding. If you make a mistake of a more serious nature, consider these suggested steps:

1. Admit responsibility.
2. Determine who needs to know.
3. Communicate the error to the appropriate person(s)
4. Give only the facts.
5. Don’t make excuses. Only offer the person an explanation.
6. State how you fixed the problem – or how you plan to fix the problem.
7. Plan and communicate to the employer how you will prevent the mistake from occurring again.