How to Be a Pleasure to Work with (And Still Get Things Done)

We've all been there - the awkward interactions between two co-workers butting heads and losing their cool over small misunderstandings. Or, even worse, one co-worker lying back and not making their voice heard out of fear of aggression or opposition from other team members.

A bit of stress during important project and product meetings is to be expected - there can be a lot at stake. However, these types of interactions over extended periods can place a strain on relationships between workers that are not easily mended.

While at the end of the day the work has to get done, the journey there can be a pleasurable one. Here are just a few things you can do to see a positive impact in your work relationships immediately.

Take Ownership of Your Decisions & Mistakes

So you missed a deadline. Did you update your estimate and let your team and stakeholders know the challenges you faced? Or did you simply show up to a team meeting and complain about another department not providing what you need?

Eyes will roll.

Growth is based on errors and learning from them. The first way to learn and grow from mistakes you've made is to take complete ownership of them.

"That's on me."

Three words can command a lot of respect from your peers. It shows you acknowledge it was your responsibility and you dropped the ball. Following up your acknowledgment with a list of what you're doing to make sure the same mistake doesn't occur shows that you are working to better yourself and your process.

Likewise, you will be surprised by how many of your team members will follow suit in acknowledging where they made mistakes. Ownership tends to breed more ownership and is a great way to improve processes and procedures over time.

But most importantly, it makes your team members know you are reliable and someone who won't throw excuses out at every team meeting.

Acknowledge Other Team Member's Accomplishments

You met your deadline and even started working on the next steps for that big product launch. You arrive at the team meeting and let everyone know the great progress you're making. It's quickly glanced over and the team moves on.

And then you get discouraged.

One of the biggest morale killers is putting in a lot of work and not getting any acknowledgment of what you accomplished. Yes - it is your job. And yes - it was a task you were given and you were paid for completing.

But a few words go a long way. Taking a quick moment to let your team members know that they did a great job, or that you appreciate the extra effort they put in to finish some work, goes a big way in establishing healthy bonds and feedback loops.

You don't need to pat everyone's back for every little thing completed. However, items that take additional effort to get across the finish line should be praised and will contribute to a more positive relationship with that co-worker.

It's a near-effortless way to improve morale all around. Speaking of acknowledgments...

Don't take any work for granted

You are tasked with what, on the surface, appears to be a small task. Once you peel back the layers, however, you find that it's a much more complicated item than originally thought. While working on it, you're handed another task with a deadline that you're not sure you're going to meet due to the complexity of the first task.

We've all been there. Items are piling up and you were never asked whether you can handle the load. Deadlines are missed, or you overwork yourself to make sure everything is completed and you burn out.

Yes - you need to advocate for yourself and make sure your team understands what is on your plate. There may be resources available for you to tap into to get the work done. Asking team members if they need help (and becoming the resource yourself) can also lead to building a stronger relationship with that member if you can help them out of a pickle.

If you are the one handing out the work, however, you need to be aware of everyone's workloads. If you give what seems to be a small task, follow up with that team member and ask for a quick update. Work estimates are fine, but the truth of a task or project may result in a much more complex, and more time-consuming, item.

Make sure you take no work for granted before you dismiss, or hand out, tasks to your team.

Always repay your favors

This is a simple one.

If you did find yourself in a time crunch and a co-worker helps you out of a tough spot...

Don't forget!

Because your co-worker sure won't. We all remember when we helped out someone who was in a bind with the hopes that one day it will be reciprocated. And when we find ourselves in a jam and we look for help and don't receive it, we feel slighted.

It's a silent poison in work relationships. If someone does you a favor, you must acknowledge it and reciprocate.

Better yet - instead of asking for help, make it a habit of finding out from team members what you can do to help them. It's the first step in servant leadership, and even if you don't find yourself in a leadership role it proves you are practicing the skills a leader needs to lead a team to success.

Know Your Team's Disposition

Let's face it - not everyone responds to bubbly personalities or overwhelming positivity. Some people like working with straight shooters or someone who will help guide them a bit more than usual.

This is where honing your soft skills will come into place. You shouldn't tailor your personality depending on who you are working with - it will make you seem artificial. Instead, observe what team members respond well to.

The one member who tells jokes and likes to have a few laughs? Amuse them.

The one member who is known as the employee that's hard to work with? Observe why they respond the way they do to certain interactions and avoid them.

Once you know how your team works and their personalities, you will have a leg up on maintaining harmony with your co-workers and getting the most out of each member.

Like to discuss further? Comment or reach out directly!

Photo attributions:

Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash

Photo by Luis Villasmil on Unsplash

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