Did you know that you spend more time at the office than at home? On average, if you work 8 hours a day, that's 40 hours a week, leading to 2000 hours a year. That's a lot!
So, whether you spend so much time (with the same people) silently or not, it does get tough (more than required sometimes). Thus, having sober and good working relationships will only bring you comfort and peace. Also, it will make the office a happier place for you!
So, if you want to bring about a positive change, take a look below at the 14 ways to improve relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Participate in Team Events
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The easiest way to show your fun and playful side are by participating in team events. Be it as small as Secret Santa or big as doing a show, either way, you get to interact and kickstart good working relationships.
Praise/Appreciate them
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We don't always get the much-needed praise from our managers or colleagues. If you see a co-worker do or achieve something, make sure to appreciate them. Little words of praise (written or verbal) make a lot of difference, thus leading to good relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Respond Timely
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Everyone wants to finish their tasks and move on, but if those tasks depend partially on you, you must close them. Respond to e-mails or calls whether to give a green signal or report errors. For good working relationships, you need to avoid last-minute work.
Avoid Gossiping
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One of the top ways to develop effective working relationships is to steer clear of gossip. As hard as it seems, you must make a conscious effort to not show (at least blatantly) that you're a gossip queen. Let's fight this human nature to build better relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Stay Humble
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The best accessory you can wear is humbleness. However, it is not the same as selling yourself short, rather, not boasting about your skills or achievements. Let your work do the talking!
Respect others Time
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Being respectful of someone else's time means being prompt and punctual. If you are none, you cannot gain respect from your colleagues. One of the ways to develop effective working relationships requires you to deliver deadlines, reach the office and communicate things on time.
Welcome New Teammates
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Do you remember your first day in the office? Your nervousness and shyness were at their peak. So, why not be a friendly co-worker and help the new joiner become comfortable? A warm welcome from you will lead to happy relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Think before you Speak
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Many a time, you crack a joke, not realising how insensitive it is. That is why, it is vital to think before you say anything, even with your closest work friends.
Bring Snacks & Share them
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Follow the importance of work relationships by becoming the snacks lady or man. Just like in school, the one with goodies was everyone's favourite, you can be the famous one in your team too.
Lend a Helping Hand
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Office spaces can become very hectic, and a helping hand can make a ton of difference. Whether they need assistance in work or personal life, your offer will lead to a great rapport and good working relationships.
Initiate Plans to Chill
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One of the great ways to develop effective working relationships is to show your interest in spending time with them. Initiate plans to go for after-office drinks, have a nice lunch or do some activities that build stronger bonds.
Be a Good Listener
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This is the number 1 rule to having smooth relationships with colleagues in the workplace. If you are not a good listener, you're not worthy of being a confidante. Just listen to your friend or manager ranting without offering any advice or taunts. Sometimes, an ear is all they need!
Avoid Annoying Habits
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One of many ways to develop effective working relationships is to keep a check on your habits. Be it chewing with an open mouth, smelly body odour, whistling, or anything else done at home will not always be welcomed in the office space.
Settle Differences Calmly
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There are no two people with the same mind, so a group of people will bring different ideas to the table. Thus, leading to conflicts that have to be resolved quickly and calmly. For good working relationships, you must shake hands on the problem and work towards a solution.
Gurnika Talwar is FNP’s marketing and creative content writer and has been with the firm since 2020. She is based in Delhi, India and has been in this field for 2+ years.
She started her journey as a freshman but since then has created content on several mediums. With blogging on gift ideas, food, gardening tips and whatnot as her primary goal, she has also curated content for social media and brand films. As a storyteller, she creates original, genuine, and relatable content to connect with the mass. Besides work, you’ll find her chit-chatting about movies or making sarcastic jokes.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
The easiest way to show your fun and playful side are by participating in team events. Be it as small as Secret Santa or big as doing a show, either way, you get to interact and kickstart good working relationships.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
We don't always get the much-needed praise from our managers or colleagues. If you see a co-worker do or achieve something, make sure to appreciate them. Little words of praise (written or verbal) make a lot of difference, thus leading to good relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Everyone wants to finish their tasks and move on, but if those tasks depend partially on you, you must close them. Respond to e-mails or calls whether to give a green signal or report errors. For good working relationships, you need to avoid last-minute work.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
One of the top ways to develop effective working relationships is to steer clear of gossip. As hard as it seems, you must make a conscious effort to not show (at least blatantly) that you're a gossip queen. Let's fight this human nature to build better relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
The best accessory you can wear is humbleness. However, it is not the same as selling yourself short, rather, not boasting about your skills or achievements. Let your work do the talking!
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Being respectful of someone else's time means being prompt and punctual. If you are none, you cannot gain respect from your colleagues. One of the ways to develop effective working relationships requires you to deliver deadlines, reach the office and communicate things on time.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Do you remember your first day in the office? Your nervousness and shyness were at their peak. So, why not be a friendly co-worker and help the new joiner become comfortable? A warm welcome from you will lead to happy relationships with colleagues in the workplace.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Many a time, you crack a joke, not realising how insensitive it is. That is why, it is vital to think before you say anything, even with your closest work friends.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Follow the importance of work relationships by becoming the snacks lady or man. Just like in school, the one with goodies was everyone's favourite, you can be the famous one in your team too.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
Office spaces can become very hectic, and a helping hand can make a ton of difference. Whether they need assistance in work or personal life, your offer will lead to a great rapport and good working relationships.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
One of the great ways to develop effective working relationships is to show your interest in spending time with them. Initiate plans to go for after-office drinks, have a nice lunch or do some activities that build stronger bonds.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
This is the number 1 rule to having smooth relationships with colleagues in the workplace. If you are not a good listener, you're not worthy of being a confidante. Just listen to your friend or manager ranting without offering any advice or taunts. Sometimes, an ear is all they need!
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
One of many ways to develop effective working relationships is to keep a check on your habits. Be it chewing with an open mouth, smelly body odour, whistling, or anything else done at home will not always be welcomed in the office space.
Source: GIPHY[/caption]
There are no two people with the same mind, so a group of people will bring different ideas to the table. Thus, leading to conflicts that have to be resolved quickly and calmly. For good working relationships, you must shake hands on the problem and work towards a solution. 
