A good worker is defined by more than his or her quality of work — interactions with others is also important. If you want to improve relationships with your coworkers, a few minor changes to your behaviour can make all the difference.
Picture: Andrey Popov/Shutterstock
US News spoke with marriage and parenting researcher John Gottman to learn how our various actions affect our relationships with others in the workplace. Gottman explained that every behaviour in a human interaction is a moving towards, neutral or moving away behaviour, and that we need to heavily minimise our “moving away” behaviour because only one negative action can outweigh approximately five positive ones.
More specifically, Gottman suggested the avoidance of frustrated sighing, averting eyes when walking by someone’s cubicle or desk, diminishing statements (“sure, that could work, but…”), and negative body language. Instead, positive body language, asking how a project (or other work) turned out and offering to help make you a positive force in the office.
Of course, this is often easier said than done. Sometimes coworkers will frustrate you, or you’ll simply be in a bad mood. Keeping these ideas in mind will help you avoid the negative behaviours and implement positive ones to better your status at the office.
Simple Techniques to Increase Your Likeability at Work [US News]
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