When you join a new company, you want to be welcomed and liked, right? Of course, you do. It's only natural. However, no two workplaces are ever quite the same, and you're not guaranteed to get along with your new colleagues. So, it's up to you to use your interpersonal skills to show everyone that you're someone who should be welcomed and accepted.
Why Is It Important To Get Along With Others In The Workplace?
Whichever way you look at it, having friends in the workplace matters, not least because you're spending the majority of your waking life working. Developing good relationships with colleagues is going to make you a) better at your job, b) happier in your work, and c) better able to progress and advance up the ranks. Getting on with people is something of a prerequisite for any ambitious professional.
How Do You Get On With Work Colleagues?
So, how can you work on this particular part of your personal development? That's what we examine next, as we look at five simple ways you can ingratiate yourself with your new colleagues. The good news is that it's not rocket science and often just involves being nice.
- Method #1 - Wear Your Best Smile Every Day
Studies show that over ⅔ of people will base how trustworthy they perceive you on whether you smile or not, so it stands to reason that you should show your pearly whites when you meet new people. Smiling shows friendliness and can be infectious too, so if you do nothing else on your first day in a new role, ensure you're smiley and affable. It will go a long way to creating a good first impression.
- Method #2 - Learn How Everyone Takes Their Tea
If there's one thing likely to get your new colleagues on your side is to commit everyone's tea orders to memory - or at the very least, write them down. It might seem a minor point, but there's a strong tea break culture in Australia, and as the person providing the caffeine, your stock will go up with your new workmates. It also pays to practice your tea-making skills so that you can make a good cuppa.
- Method #3 - Be Sociable
When you're lucky enough to be invited out for drinks with your colleagues, simply taking part and not hiding away will work wonders in team bonding. Not only will this prevent you from being labelled as boring, but it will also give you the opportunity to let your interpersonal skills shine through. You also have to be careful not to keep saying no, or it could come across as unfriendly.
- Method #4 - Don't Pretend To Be Someone You're Not
If you spend 8-10 hours a day with people, it doesn't take too long for them to know most things there are to know about you. As such, if you initially pretend to be someone you're not just to fit in, it will eventually come to light. Authenticity is important if you want the respect of your colleagues, so be sure to be yourself and trust that your new workmates will like you for who you are.
- Method #5 - Hold On To Contentious Opinions
We all have opinions on life's big subjects like politics, sports, and the rest - something that can lead to heated arguments in the workplace if they're disclosed. While there may be a time later when your standing allows you to give yourself two penneth, it's best first to keep your mouth shut when contentious subjects arise.
Work On Your Interpersonal Skills With OCA Online Courses and Training
Fitting into a new workplace is important, but if you need to work on this aspect of yourself, don't worry, as help is at hand! That help comes in the form of video-based, CPD-Endorsed short courses like our Develop Your Interpersonal Skills Course, which offers an immersive and engaging way to learn new professional skills.
Forget what you know about boring text-based learning that quickly makes your eyes glaze over, as this is a next-level experience. Our Student Study Demo shows exactly why our customers see ours as the most captivating and best online education Australia has available.
If you'd like to know more about us and what makes us different from the rest, visit us today at www.onlinecoursesaustralia.edu.au, where you'll find details of how every course comes with 1-to-1 mentoring and can be paid for using one of a selection of flexible payment options.
However, if you'd prefer to speak to us before committing, we're happy to oblige. Just give us a call at 1300 611 404 or email [email protected], and we'll help you in any way we're able to.
