Have you ever left a job not because of the job itself, but because you found your co-workers unbearable? With reflection and distance, is it possible that you had some responsibility in making your previous work environment so intolerable? You may need some insight into how to develop a friendly, cohesive work group.

Following are some dos and don’ts for building healthy workplace relationships:

  1. Have a positive attitude. An upbeat outlook will go a long way toward building a good climate. Like a virus, negativity is contagious. Look in the mirror and honestly ask yourself if you would like to work with someone day in and day out who was just like you.
  2. Appreciate the diversity of your co-workers. There are many different types of intelligence and work styles. Just because they differ from yours doesn’t mean they are wrong or ineffective.
  3. Focus on your coworkers’ positive attributes; don’t obsess over the negative ones. For example, perhaps they are slow to get their reports turned in, but on the other hand, they are careful and methodical, and their reports contain few errors.
  4. Applaud your co-workers on their work efforts. Commend them on a job well done. Be sincere and specific. A genuine, heartfelt, and positive comment can make a co-worker feel appreciated.
  5. Celebrate the successes of others. Don’t be jealous or resentful when your co-worker is named employee of the month, is praised by the boss, or receives the promotion you were aiming for.
  6. Show interest and concern for your co-workers’ personal lives. You need not be meddlesome about their private lives, but doing things like sending an encouraging note when a co-worker’s mother is ill will show that you care about them as a person.
  7. Engage in fun activities with your coworkers. Potlucks, group yoga, or low-stakes art activities are examples of ways to foster team building and a sense of camaraderie among coworkers.
  8. Offer to help if a co-worker is having a difficult time mastering a new task or is overwhelmed with work. Helping someone who is in need will go a long way toward enhancing your workplace relationship. The additional upside is that, someday, you may need their help and they will be much more inclined to give you a hand.
  9. Keep your promises. Be someone that your co-workers can trust and count on. Do your job to the best of your ability.
  10. Don’t judge your co-workers. Don’t gossip. If you talk negatively to Jim about Jane, it won’t be long before Jim figures out you are likely talking about him as well.
  11. Don’t pout, resort to the silent treatment, or throw a tantrum if you are unhappy with a co-worker. Hostile communication tends to degenerate relationships very quickly. Resolve problems with good communication skills. Be willing to admit your mistakes and compromise.
  12. Understand that life at work is not always going to be ideal. But by putting the extra effort into building positive workplace relationships, you will create a more desirable environment for yourself.

Dragseth, Ph.D., is the Baker Boy Professor of Leadership and the 2024 Dickinson State University Distinguished Professor of the Year. Her monthly column offers practical solutions to common workplace issues.

This article is published as it appears in the Heart River Voice (August 2024, Vol. 6, No. 8). You can find the article here: HRVAugust2024.pdf (heartrivervoice.com)