Whether you consider this fact disheartening or motivating, you can't deny its truth: You probably spend more time with your colleagues than you do with anyone else.
When you're in the office at least 40 hours per week, the people you work with become a big part of your life. So it pays to have solid relationship with them.
Not only does that give you a strategic advantage in the workplace (hey, it never hurts to be well-liked!), it also makes work that much more enjoyable.
If you don't consider yourself particularly close with your colleagues, don't worry—cultivating a more caring and supportive atmosphere at work doesn't need to be a complicated undertaking.
There are some super simple things you can do to show your colleagues that you care and, as a result, make your office a place that you look forward to spending time in.
Offer Help
Think of the last time you were struggling at work. Maybe you were swamped and overwhelmed, or perhaps you were stuck on a challenging project. Wouldn't it have been nice if someone had stopped by your desk and provided some advice? Or even offered to take something off your plate? Wouldn't that alone have made you feel so much more valued and supported?
Absolutely. So, why not do that same thing for a colleague? When you see someone who's stressed or confused, just ask: Is there anything I can do to help?
Even if your co-worker doesn't actually take you up on your offer, just the fact that you recognized the challenge and wanted to do something about it goes a long way in fostering a more empathetic culture.
Don’t eat lunch alone
This is an easy one to implement, whether you’re on day 1 of our job, or whether you’ve been there for 10 years. You should never feel awkward about asking a colleague to lunch or for a coffee break – it’s a natural way to make a connection and get to know someone on a more personal level, yet still in a professional setting so they won’t be caught off guard.
Initiate
Don’t wait for someone to ask you to lunch or to introduce themselves. Reach out, and be proactive about developing those healthy work relationships. Make yourself open and available, and try to project an approachable attitude that invites interaction, conversation, and friendship.
Volunteer
Be proactive about volunteering when opportunities come up, and fight your urge to isolate yourself within your own workload or team. You may feel a bit out of your comfort zone at first, but putting yourself out there in professional yet social situations is a great way to enjoy positive and more personal interactions with your colleagues.
Get Personal
No, you don't have to be too personal, but even if you are - maybe the colleague is really nice and you are attracted to her - still try to keep your crush at a level that does not disturb other colleagues, after all you are still in the office.
But, even if you are in a work environment, try to create a relationship with the whole person, not just a job title. This means that the more you can learn about your colleagues' interests and passions outside the office, the easier it will be to connect with them on a more human level. Whether it's asking about her or admiring her desktop wallpaper with a photo of her recent vacation, don't neglect to have the occasional small talk. This will demonstrate your investment in them, while also providing common ground that you can use to connect even more.
Provide Recognition
Everybody loves to get a pat on the back for a job well done—that's universal. But gratitude and adequate recognition can easily fall by the wayside when we're wrapped up in the chaos of our everyday lives. Step up and be that colleague who always applauds the hard work of your colleagues. Maybe that involves sending a quick slack message to let her know how much you enjoyed her presentation. Or, perhaps it means highlighting your colleagues contributions when your boss commends you for your own hard work on a recent project.
These sorts of comments might seem small, but they can make a huge impact when it comes to helping others in your office feel valued.
Do Something Nice
Little acts of kindness won't go unnoticed—particularly in the office. So, when's the last time you did something nice just because you felt like it? Go ahead and pick up some bagels, pretzel or simply falafel -depends where you are working-on your way into work one morning (when in doubt, free food is always effective). When you're heading out for lunch, ask that colleague who looks insanely busy if you can get anything for her. Your colleagues are sure to appreciate those little niceties and treats that you sneak in every now and then. Plus, as an added bonus, doing these sorts of things makes you feel good too!
Support system
No job or department or organization is without its challenges. When you have a solid support system of workplace friends around you, the inevitable difficulties or roadblocks that you’ll face will seem much more manageable.
Communication skills
Having good relationships with your colleagues means you’re more likely to communicate with them on a regular basis, which, in turn, leads to better business outcomes. Open, honest, positive, and constructive communication is the foundation of good collaboration, and when you have a solid friendship as your foundation, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish together.
So now that you understand how important workplace friends are, how do you go about forming these key relationships if you don’t already have them? What if you’re new to the job and don’t know many people? How do you reach out and start to build some meaningful workplace friendships?
Strategies are great for showing your colleagues you actually care about them. And they're incredibly simple and take almost zero effort on your part. So, if you're eager to forge better, more supportive relationships with your colleagues (and if you aren't, you definitely should be!), put these tips to work. You're sure to become one of the most-liked people in your office—while simultaneously cultivating a more positive atmosphere for the entire team.
