1
Positivity & respect create better work relationships
2
Own your mistakes & listen to colleagues’ concerns
3
Avoid gossip. Focus on your own job responsibilities
Group of people at work talking and smiling around a table

Do you often feel anxious when going to work? Perhaps you’re looking for a new job and just feel worried about fitting in with other team members. Don’t worry; this is perfectly natural, and we see it all the time. However, it’s beneficial to deal with your anxiety and learn how to get on with people at work.

Top 12 Tips for Getting Along With People at Work

We come across all sorts of people in a work environment, some of whom are easier to handle than others. Today, we’ll walk you through twelve tips to help improve teamwork and get into some good working practices.

1 – Ask Questions

It’s a good idea to build relationships with your coworkers by asking questions and getting to know them. These can range from business-related questions to know their role to more personal ones to understand their tastes and views. Thus, it becomes easier to relate to them and get along. 

New employee asking questions in a one to one meeting with a colleague
People would rather you ask lots of questions when you first start a new job. Asking questions denotes an interest in the role you’re taking on and also helps you pick up the job more quickly.

2 – Set Boundaries

Boundaries are essential in the workplace as they help you stay productive. We’ve all met that one employee that shares everything with you. While you’re open to knowing how someone’s weekend went, you don’t want every explicit detail of their personal life. Set your boundaries and let people know when they’re getting a bit too personal. It can work wonders to improve your work relationships. 

3 – Maintain a Positive Attitude

There’s nothing worse than someone bringing a negative attitude to work. It affects the workplace and ruins the mood. You don’t want to be that person, so make your interactions positive ones. Always greet people with a smile and maintain a positive attitude at all times. Positivity makes you far more approachable and can make even the most negative of coworkers warm to you.

4 – Respect People’s Roles

You will encounter many coworkers with positions higher and more important than yours. This is simply the hierarchy of a business, and you need to learn to respect that. Don’t try to be a know-it-all and repeatedly question someone’s authority – it won’t end well. Respect that someone has earned their title and therefore must be good at their job. A little respect can go a long way and will help you avoid future conflicts. 

5 – Treat People Equally

Similarly, you will encounter people in the workplace with jobs that might not be as highly paid as yours. It’s still crucial to treat them as you would treat everyone else, creating a great work environment. Nobody wants to work with someone who’s stuck up and thinks they’re better than everyone else. 

6 – Own Your Mistakes

Never point the finger when things go wrong; own your mistakes and hold your hands up if you’ve made a mistake. Managers and coworkers will respect you immensely for this. It shows you’re a team player who takes responsibility for your actions rather than someone who blames a colleague. 

Colleagues helping young lady fix her mistakes after owning up to them
We all make mistakes, we’re only human, after all. As long we own up to them, our colleagues are normally willing to help us fix them. It’s all part of getting along as a team.

7 – Be a Good Listener

There will always be people at your workplace who get stressed about their job. It’s part of life, but you can improve workplace relationships by offering an ear to listen to their problems. Hear their concerns, and it can really help them de-stress. You can even provide solutions to work-related issues, further improving your professional relationship. 

8 – Understand Cultural Differences

Modern workplaces are multicultural, which is a fantastic thing for business. It’s good to have diversity, and you need to appreciate that there will be some cultural differences. Get to know your fellow employees to understand more about their culture.

Approach conversations with curiosity and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Taking an interest in cultural diversity avoids making mistakes relating to their culture that can cause awkwardness. They’ll also appreciate that you’re taking the time to embrace their differences. 

9 – Be Friendly on Your First Day

Naturally, starting a new job is scary, and it’s normal to go into your shell. Make an effort to be friendly on your first day, talking to as many people as possible. You only have one shot at a first impression, so making a good one right away can build better relationships at work. 

Group of people at work talking and smiling around a table
We spend a third of our lives at work, that time can be much more enjoyable if we make an effort to get along with people at work.

10 – Follow Good Employee Etiquette

Don’t be that annoying employee that distracts everyone and makes productivity a dream rather than a reality. When you take a phone call, be sure that you aren’t distracting others. Take personal calls away from the office, and avoid constantly chattering away to people while they work. Otherwise, you could become the employee that gets on everyone’s nerves. 

11 – Avoid Gossip

You are going to come across workplace gossip, but it’s important not to engage. Avoid any gossip you hear, as it can create toxicity at work. You don’t want fellow coworkers to find that you’ve been spreading rumours about them. 

12 – Focus on Your Job

Finally, the best tip for getting on with people at work is to focus on your job. Don’t worry about what others are doing; it doesn’t relate to you. People don’t like it when fellow employees butt their noses into their work. Stick to what you know, and you’ll come across as a more likeable and approachable team member. 

Getting on With People at Work is Essential to Fit into the Team

By following the above tips, you can get along with your colleagues and create a better work environment. It leads to improved teamwork, which is so critical for all organisations. The friendlier a workplace is, the more productive it becomes, improving the bottom line. 

If you apply for a job through a reputable recruitment agency, it’s always worth conversing with them about fitting into your new team. Not only are they career experts in their field, but they likely have an excellent working relationship with your new employer. They can, therefore, offer a wealth of helpful advice about the company culture you’re about to join.

We hope you enjoyed this article. If you did, please share it on social media. Others who might have difficulty getting on with people at work will be bound to thank you for it!

Adria Solutions

Adria Solutions

Adria Solutions is one of the UK’s leading IT, Digital and Marketing recruitment consultancy with a friendly, forward-thinking approach | Celebrating 20 years of success in 2024 | Featured on UK Recruiter, Tech Target, Computer World LinkedIn News UK, Tech Round, Recruiter and more industry publications.

Get our newest candidates

We provide a friendly, forward-thinking, 360° recruitment solution. With two decades of experience in the technology sector, we focus on happy hiring.

Get the latest news, talent insights and trends

  • Lady considering where she sees herself in five years

    Where Do You See Yourself In Five Years?

    Our last post addressed one of the most challenging questions you might face during an interview; “Why are you looking for a new job?”. This week, we tackle another humdinger;…
  • Lady wondering whether her salary expectations are realistic

    Salary Expectations: How Realistic Are Yours?

    Before embarking on any job search, it is unlikely you have absolutely no idea the level of remuneration you should be seeking. Although at some point during the interview process,…
  • Lots of coloured phones, a nightmare for someone with phone phobia

    Phone Phobia at Work

    With Halloween and Bonfire night ending, the past two weeks have inspired a thought-provoking topic of conversation in our office. So much so that we decided to write a blog…

Send us an enquiry

About you

What are you?(Required)