We all would like to be liked at work. Not only is it an important aspect of enjoying your job, but the way your coworkers perceive you is important for your performance and success in the workplace. A well liked person is more likely to be respected in management positions or to be promoted. So, how can a person make himself more likely to be liked by others in the workforce? By showing appreciation and friendship to coworkers, or just being agreeable in general, you can be better liked by those you work with.
Do you want to be liked at work? Read on.
First, it’s important to be friendly to other coworkers and show interest in them. Ask how their weekend was, what did they do, etc. Showing that you are interested in their lives outside of work shows that you want a friendly connection with this person. Everyone wants to feel that someone is interested in them and what they have to say. If you listen to your coworkers, chances are they will like talking to you and will come by to have conversation more often. Try and get to know the people you work with. Ask about their family, their hobbies; strike up a conversation during break time. The workplace is a great place to make new friends. After all, you spend most of your day there.
Don’t slack off on projects. When you’re working in a team, there’s always that one person who doesn’t put in their share of the work. That individual is generally not very well liked by the rest of the group. For future projects, people do not like working with him or her. So, when working with others, make sure to work hard and pull your weight. They will appreciate that you take the project seriously and everyone will benefit in the long run. If everyone does their share of the work, it makes it easier on the whole group. Also, show your appreciation for others in the group’s contributions. Remember that they worked hard too and they will appreciate how you acknowledged that. People will want to work with you if you make it an enjoyable experience and feel like you are part of their group. They’ll probably invite you to celebrate the job well done with them!
If you want to be liked at work, try to stay away from unpleasant strategies.
Don’t suck up to your boss. While you might think that it’ll win you points with him or her, all your other coworkers will see through such strategies. People will see you as fake and lose respect for you. Remember that annoying kid in school always kissing up to the teacher? That’s how your coworkers will see you. Your boss might also see through this act and lose regard for you as well. Now, I am not saying that you shouldn’t get to know your boss and respect and appreciate him or her. However, do it in a tasteful manner, just as you would all your other coworkers. Besides, wouldn’t you want a promotion for your skills and achievements?
Being helpful to your coworkers is also very important when you want to be liked at work. If you see someone having trouble with a task, offer to help them. They will remember you for how nice you were. No one is going to talk badly of the person who helped them out when they needed it the most. Often, helping out another person will benefit you as well. If you’re working on a project together, group members helping one another is essential to a successful outcome. Also, the next time you have a difficult assignment, they’ll be more likely to return the favor. People will like you if they feel that sense of camaraderie that you are all in it together.
Most importantly, don’t be disagreeable or rude at work. Everyone gets frustrated and has a bad day here and there, but you shouldn’t take it out on those you work with. If you are in a bad mood and feel you may lash out, try and take a little break. If you don’t want to talk to someone, try just telling them politely that you’re really busy working on a project but you’d love to chat later when you’re free. If you are angry and hurtful all the time, no one will want to be around you or work with you. If a coworker is annoying you, try to get out of the situation without lashing out at them. They may not even know that they are bothering you. Maybe you could say, “Well, it was nice running into you, but I really have to get back to work if I’m going to get out of here on time today.”Just getting yourself out of the situation is usually the best option. If you are having a truly horrible day, maybe you should just go home.
Being liked at work is not very difficult. Well, unless you are just a very disagreeable person. Think of how you made friends when you were in school. It is the same principle. Show interest in people’s lives and interests, be helpful and appreciative, and always treat them with the same degree of respect which you would like in return. You could meet some of your best friends in the workplace. If you present yourself as a nice, assertive, interesting person, people at work will want to be around you. Not only do you make your own work experience better, but they will enjoy working with you as well.