From the moment you enter your office to when you leave for home, you must be a good coworker. You can learn how to learn to be a better coworker.
Whether this means running errands or pitching in on projects, there are many ways to be an asset to your company and coworkers.
How To Be A Better Coworker In 28 Easy Ways
A good coworker does what they say they will do. If you say you’ll get a report in by the end of the day, make sure it is ready to go before quitting time.
Here are 28 tips regarding how to be a better coworker:
1. Make Yourself Indispensable:
If you have a good idea, share it. If you can help with a project, offer to do so. As a valuable asset to the company, you will help you in your file for a raise or promotion.
Being helpful and lending a hand when needed separates you from others at your job.
Being indispensable means that you are worth more to your company. If this happens, you will go very far; however, it may take years of hard work.
2. Keep Up with Current Events:
It never hurts to know what is going on in the world around you.
If you can share helpful information from a recent news story or event, use that knowledge to make conversation with your coworkers.
It makes for good conversation around the water cooler. It shows that you are up-to-date and participating in current events.
3. Dress Appropriately To Be A Better Coworker:
Please keep in mind that this does not mean dressing professionally every day! Consider where possible shoes may be appropriate, etc.
Also, avoid wearing too much perfume or cologne and wearing too much makeup to work.
These things may annoy your boss and coworkers and be a distraction in the workplace.
4. Be a Team Player:
When you see something that needs to get done, pitch in and help out! If someone is short on time or knowledge in a project, offer your services.
Going above and beyond what is expected of you at work can make for many opportunities down the road.
5. Keep Your Desk Tidy:
Keeping your desk neat and clean will increase productivity. If you keep up with clutter, you’ll find yourself wasting valuable time searching for documents.
Keeping an organized workspace will ensure everything is where it should be.
6. Keep in Touch To Be A Better Coworker:
If you have been out of town or on vacation, make sure to chat with your coworkers when you return.
Even if it is a brief note, let them know you’re back and ready to get back into the swing of things. A simple gesture like this can go a long way!
7. Leave Personal Problems at Home:
Please remember that some personal problems may be more important than work. However, keep these things separate from the workplace.
Do not launch into a long rant if someone asks how your daughter’s dance recital went over the weekend.
It will not only annoy your coworker but also reflect poorly on you as well!
8. Don’t “Mouse Potato” To Be A Better Coworker:
If you sit in front of the computer all day, you should change your behavior.
Not only does this make for a boring workday, but it makes you look lazy and unproductive. Try finding ways to be more active during the workday to increase productivity.
9. Arrive Early:
There’s nothing wrong with being ready for work at least 15 minutes before everyone else! It can increase your self-worth in the workplace.
It shows that you have respect for others’ time. Being early may also help arrive on time every day without rushing around.
Please remember always to let someone know if you are running behind.
10. Don’t Micromanage:
Remember that your coworkers are adults and can take care of themselves. Therefore, you should let them do their jobs!
If an employee needs help with something, then step in. If they seem like they can handle it independently (and usually do), then stay out of the situation.
By not micromanaging others, you ensure that everything is doing perfectly fine.
11. Be Polite To Be A Better Coworker:
It’s important to be nice to everyone you encounter at work. Please remember to say hello to people and say goodbye when leaving for the day.
Please keep the conversation light and cheerful. Having nothing good to say about someone only reflects poorly on yourself.
Another essential tip is always listening to what others have to say and consider it. Remember that sometimes other people will be wrong.
12. Don’t Take Your Work Home:
Please don’t bring the stress of your work home with you! Find different activities if you can separate yourself from your job during off-hours.
They should allow you to not dwell on unhappy thoughts at home. Friends and family may also help if trying to find a way out of a negative mindset.
It will make your home life happier. It should also increase productivity at the office.
13. Ask for Help If You Need It:
If you need help with anything at work, please ask someone else for help instead of trying to figure it out on your own.
It will make you look bad if you’ve already tried figuring something out and failed.
It also ensures that everything gets done right the first time. If you need help, please ask for it – there is no shame in asking!
14. Avoid Negativity To Be A Better Coworker::
If someone at work is down about everything, try your best to avoid them. Negativity can be contagious and spread like wildfire.
Even if your coworker seems friendly and fun to be around, find ways to keep yourself away from them.
Don’t let their feelings of unhappiness bleed into your emotions while trying to work.
15. Work Smart:
Try finding ways to increase productivity in your daily tasks! If you work better by listening to music, then do that. Many people tend to perform better in silence.
If that’s not your thing, try putting on some relaxing tunes. Another tip is to make sure the room’s temperature (or even better yet, office) isn’t too hot or cold.
Playing around with this setting may help you find what works best for you.
16. Be Willing To Try Different Things:
Please keep an open mind! Whether it’s about work or outside of work, try to find ways to improve yourself.
If someone suggests you something, please consider giving it a shot. It will make your coworkers happy if they feel like they’re getting through to you.
They will also know that you are willing to learn and try new things!
17. Respect Your Boss:
Even if your boss makes terrible decisions, remember that they are still the boss. They deserve your respect as such!
Always address them using their titles (especially in public). Be on time for meetings, and always put 110% effort into everything.
Making sure to do this should ensure that your working relationship runs smoothly.
18. Don’t Take It Personally:
If someone is being a jerk to you at work, please don’t take it personally! Everyone has their issues going on in life, and sometimes the stress gets too much for them to handle.
If anything, try seeing things from their perspective. You can better understand why they are acting the way they are towards you.
Please avoid sending negative responses back to the person. Instead, see your supervisor or manager if things get too out of hand.
19. Be Respectful To Be A Better Coworker:
Please respect everyone around you at work! Try thinking about how your actions may come off to those around you and how they could affect their day.
If you’ve had a rough day and need to vent, please try taking it outside of the office. Do not cause inconvenience to anyone else.
Another thing to consider is sharing your workspace with others. If you’re in a busy area, keep your items at home. In this way, your coworkers can work without any distractions.
20. Say Thank You:
When everything’s said and done, be sure to thank those around you for all of their hard work!
Without them helping out from time to time, things would fall apart – everyone needs a pat on the back now and then!
Saying thanks for even the most minor things will make people feel appreciated. Please take the time to thank them whenever possible!
21. Remember Your Manners:
Making sure to be polite at all times is another excellent trait of a good coworker. Saying please and thank you are part of this.
Also, try thinking about an open door policy (if applicable). Never leave your dirty dishes lying around and pick up any trash that may be lying around.
Always remember: respect begets respect. Make sure you treat others as you want them to treat you, and good things will soon follow!
22. Bring Coffee Or Food For The Office:
If there’s one thing everyone loves more than anything else, it’s free food! Bringing small snacks or drinks to share with the group is an excellent way of getting people on your good side.
It will make people like you more. It may even get them talking about you, which could lead to new opportunities in the future—just saying!
23. Don’t Be Rude:
It may not seem like a big deal for someone to be making fun of others (in person or otherwise). Please remember that words can hurt other people.
If you notice someone beginning to act strange around the office, try asking them how they are doing.
Chances are, they may need some help and support at the moment. Please do your best never to gossip about others and always be kind. We’re all in this together, after all!
24. Be Honest:
Lying is something that should only be done when you must. For example- suppose your boss asks you if their new haircut looks nice.
Telling the occasional white lie may spare people’s feelings for a short time. However, it will never build any lasting rapport.
It could get you into trouble with management or other higher-ups. Moreover, it could also get you lying about things like work performance.
It can lead to less trust between yourself and your coworkers. Stick to being completely honest at all times, and everything should turn out great!
25. Keep Notes To Be A Better Coworker:
Keeping a small notepad with you at all times is an excellent way of making sure that nothing slips your mind.
Even if you seem to remember everything, it never hurts to have a little backup in case! It will come in handy when there’s a sudden change of plans.
Instead of having to run around and get things done on your own, reference the notes later!
26. Be Inventive Ways To Improve Efficiency:
Having fresh ideas about improving things is an excellent quality to have as a coworker.
Try thinking outside the box from time to time so that everyone can benefit from your great ideas! It will make you feel proud of yourself.
It could even lead to a promotion or raise in the future if everyone likes your suggestions!
27. Be Sociable To Be A Better Coworker:
Sharing small talk with the people around you is always a great idea! Opening up and being friendly can help to get relationships started faster.
It will make for a generally more enjoyable work environment. It can lead to new opportunities in the future too. Remember – getting to know people is critical!
28. Attend Company Events And Mixers:
Attend some of the company-sponsored events or mixers on or around certain days. For instance, it can be a New Year’s Eve party.
These types of things are usually fun and very laid back. It means there’s less pressure on you while still giving you ample opportunity to meet new people.
Remember – you never know who could be at these events or what conversations you could have with them in the future!
Conclusion:
By following these tips, you’ll be on the right track to becoming a shining star among your coworkers in no time!
Who knows – you could even get noticed by management and end up making more money than ever before.
Remember that hard work does pay off in the end. All it takes is a little creativity and determination if you want to get ahead!
Last Updated on 2 years by Shahzaib Arshad
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