Building Strong Relationships with Your Peers

Workplace relationships are more complex than just being helpful. Human emotions like jealousy and company politics can make it tricky. Here are some tips on how you can build good relationships while being mindful of real-world challenges:

1. Practice active listening – When a peer shares an idea, don’t just wait for your turn to speak. For example, if someone suggests a project or design approach you hadn’t considered, ask follow-up questions to understand their reasoning. This shows respect and reduces tension.
2. Don’t assume, communicate clearly – If a teammate seems distant or unresponsive, don’t assume it's personal. Politely ask, “Is everything okay?” or “Did I explain this well?” This diffuses misunderstandings early on, especially when people might be stressed.
3. Help others, but manage your deliverables first – Prioritize your work before stepping in to help a colleague with theirs. If you’re overloaded, be honest: “I’d love to assist, but I need to finish X first. Can I check in with you afterward?” This avoids burnout while maintaining goodwill.
4. Share your learnings – If you discover something valuable, share it in meetings or group chats. This builds trust and discourages hoarding information. Sharing in a group setting ensures transparency and gives credit where it's due.
5. Recognize and appreciate others’ efforts – If a colleague helped you or contributed something valuable, acknowledge it in front of the team: “Thanks to [Name] for their insight—it really helped me complete this task.” This strengthens bonds and prevents jealousy over unrecognized work.
6. Seek feedback – Ask your peers for feedback, even if it feels awkward: “Hey, I’m trying to improve how I handle XYZ. Do you have any suggestions?” This shows you value their input and opens up constructive dialogue, even with those who might otherwise compete with you. Bonus points - following up on their feedback and sharing how it helped shows you’re serious about improvement.
7. Be open to learning from peers – Jealousy happens, especially when peers are excelling. Instead of resenting their success, ask: “How did you approach that?” You not only learn from them but can also break down competitive barriers. Share how their advice helped you.
8. Respect others’ opinions, even if you disagree – When you disagree in a meeting, try: “I see your point, but I’m not sure how it works in X use case. What do you think?” This keeps discussions respectful and prevents dismissiveness.
9. Be mindful of non-verbal communication: Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it. Pay attention to body language and facial expressions when interacting with peers. Non-verbal cues can significantly impact how your messages are received.
10. Encourage and participate in team-building activities – Team-building activities might feel forced, but they’re often key to building relationships. Attend happy hours or virtual hangouts, and use them as an opportunity to connect with peers in a relaxed setting, fostering stronger bonds outside the usual work environment.
11. Respect personal & cultural boundaries – Not everyone enjoys socializing outside work, and that’s okay. If someone declines an invitation or seems distant, respect their space. Personal boundaries should be honored to avoid creating tension or discomfort.

Building strong relationships at work is about more than just being helpful—it’s about navigating complex emotions, politics, and dynamics with empathy and practical solutions. Take a moment to reflect on how you can apply these tips to strengthen your workplace relationships and create a more positive team environment!