Buzz
While maintaining a cheerful attitude at work may not be explicitly required, it certainly helps you become more pleasant to be around. If you find yourself being a bit short with colleagues or frequently complaining, it might be time to make some changes. By implementing small, daily adjustments, you can improve your mood and be a friendlier person at work, making your job more enjoyable.
Steps
Start by saying “good morning” to your coworkers.
Make a point to greet them as you walk in each day. It might seem like a simple gesture, but a friendly greeting can really brighten someone’s day if they're feeling down.
- Greeting your coworkers also makes you more approachable. If you're casual and friendly in the morning, your colleagues are more likely to engage with you throughout the day.
Build relationships with your coworkers.
Talk about something beyond work during breaks. Discuss your family, weekend activities, or favorite hobbies.
- Building personal connections with your colleagues will help strengthen bonds and create a more friendly atmosphere.
- Don't forget to share a little about yourself too! Talk about the exciting things you did over the weekend or what you have planned for the evening.
Look for the bright side.
Stay positive at work, even during tough moments. If you're able to find the silver lining in any situation, others will begin to see you as someone pleasant and dependable.
- For example, if your team misses a deadline, you could say, “At least we now know how much time we need to set aside for the next project.”
- Or, if you find yourself working late, you could say, “At least we’re earning overtime for this.”
EXPERT ADVICE
Moshe Ratson, MFT, PCC
Marriage & Family Therapist
Marriage & Family Therapist
Maintaining a positive attitude can enhance your relationships. Make a conscious effort to foster strong bonds with those who matter most. Offering help to others can provide a sense of purpose. Infusing your interactions with humor, kindness, empathy, and enjoyment can have a significant impact.
Hone your active listening skills.
Show interest and ask thoughtful questions when engaging with coworkers. Demonstrate that you’re truly listening instead of brushing off what they say.
- For instance, if a coworker is explaining your next task, you might say, “So, you need a double-page document by the end of the day?”
- If you're chatting about personal matters, ask, “What happened at your kid’s recital last night?”
Give your best effort in your work.
Stay organized, meet deadlines, and collaborate with your team. The better you perform at your job, the more others will see you as dependable.
- Although excelling in your role alone may not necessarily make you appear “nice,” combining it with other strategies will help ensure others view you as a kind person.
- If you’re not doing your job well, being the nicest person in the world may not prevent others from resenting you.
Be mindful of other people's needs.
Recognize that everyone works at their own pace and in their own style. Rather than getting frustrated with coworkers who approach tasks differently than you, respect their methods and allow them to work in the way that suits them best.
- For example, you might prefer to listen to music and chat while you work, but some people might need complete silence. Instead of feeling offended, let them focus on their work without interruption.
Support your coworkers when they need help.
Offer help if a coworker is having difficulty. While you may not be able to do their work for them, you can offer to bring them the necessary materials or review their work, especially if you’re collaborating on a project.
- When you do something kind for a colleague, they’ll likely return the favor at some point in the future.
Own up to your mistakes.
Own your errors and share how you’ll improve moving forward. Don’t shift the blame to others; instead, take responsibility if you make a mistake.
- For example, you might say, “I misplaced the report we needed, which caused us to miss the deadline. I’m sorry, and I’ll work on improving my organizational skills for next time.”
Give credit when your coworker excels.
A simple “great job!” can go a long way in making someone feel appreciated. Make it a habit to acknowledge when a colleague finishes a task quickly, puts in extra effort, or exceeds expectations.
- Positive reinforcement motivates people to work harder and with greater enthusiasm. If you're leading a team, try rewarding your employees when they do well to boost productivity.
Address issues directly.
If you're having a conflict with a coworker, confront them face-to-face. Avoid passive-aggressive behavior or gossiping about them with others. Instead, sit down and discuss your differences openly.
- Gossiping only fuels workplace drama, which no one enjoys.
- If you're facing a significant issue that you can't resolve on your own, consider involving your HR department for assistance.
- Try not to take workplace stress personally. Step back, analyze what's triggering those feelings, and find ways to manage them.
Occasionally treat everyone to coffee.
Do something small but thoughtful every couple of months. Splurge on coffee one morning, bring in donuts, or treat the team to lunch. They’ll likely return the favor!
- These small acts of kindness will make people see you as a friendly, considerate person.
- Don’t feel pressured to spend a lot—if you’re on a budget, simply being thoughtful counts.
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Becoming a kinder person takes time. Continue to make small changes each day to work towards your goal.
