Be More Appealing to Coworkers – Make It Easy for Others to Like You

Unfortunately, how well you are liked by coworkers, your superiors, and other company staff can essentially make or break your employment at your current company. Sometimes, how well you are liked even tops the skill set you do have (or do not have) that is crucial for employment at the company. So, maybe you are not very well liked or currently at the low end of the popularity totem pole. Is it feasible to increase your likeability and reputation with your coworkers? Here are some characteristic changes to get you started.

When talking to other coworkers, talk with them and not at them. Try to peak everyone’s interest with eye contact, body language, or even the topic you are talking about. If you ask questions to your coworkers to get their opinion on the subject, they will feel they are providing to the conversation and that their opinion is important.

When connecting with coworkers and your superiors, make sure you communicate proficiently. Your coworkers and superiors are busy people, just like you, and everyone’s time does not need to be wasted with poor communication. Make the most out of conversations, emails, and phone calls to be respected as a hard worker and a great coworker.

Next, welcome teamwork and build relationships with your coworkers. Be as personable as possible with your coworkers so they see you actually care about their well being more than just if they showed up to work to help out on a project. On that note, embrace working in teams. Your company’s productivity can improve with others feel they are making a difference and their opinions are being heard. Working in teams can create motivation and an overall feeling of well-being.

Lastly, keep a happy work environment whether that is in your own cubicle or in the entire workplace. Keep your area (or workplace) uplifting and positive; your daily personality should match your environment, too. Give compliments to coworkers who deserve them, support someone who is having a rough day, or go out of your way for your boss. By doing so, the company’s morale will get a boost as well as you’re confidence. It is proven that people will work more efficiently when they feel supported and valued.

Even with these characteristic changes, be careful to not lessen your competency. Peter Handal, President and CEO for Dale Carnegie Training, once said: “in order to be the most productive, you must find the right balance of competence and likeability.”

This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Michigan, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Michigan. We would love to connect with you on Facebook and Twitter @MarkWillDCT.

Send to Kindle

This entry was posted on June 6, 2011 at 8:43 pm and is filed under Leadership Development, Team Member Engagement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.