Harmony at Work: Getting Along with Your Co-Workers

Work takes up a good portion of our lives. For the regular full time employee, a regular work week takes up at least 40 hours and that's not taking overtime into consideration. Even for part timers, a job can feel like a second home. Granted, there are a few out there who work from home and so the co-worker issue doesn't come into play. However, for the rest of us, we spend most of our week with a group of people that are usually not family. Whether or not they're friends though depends on how well you get along with them.

In actuality, you don't have to be friends with your co-workers. But to make the day go by smoothly, it's wise to be on good terms with them. This doesn't mean you have to spend time outside of the office hanging out or talking on the phone with them. But while you're in the same working environment, being able to talk on a friendly (or at least cordial) basis is highly important. Co-workers that don't get along can make the work place tense not only for themselves, but for those around them as well. Even if you don't particularly care for a fellow employee, doing your part to keep the peace can go a long way towards showing true professionalism in your career.

The following is a list of things to keep in mind and try when you're in a situation where getting along with your fellow employees is important. Whether you're new to the company or just experiencing some tension with other workers, these tips can help make going to work everyday a lot less stressful.

1.Don't hesitate to be friendly: Even if you're the new employee, or maybe the one who's never had much to say, don't hesitate to smile and say hello to your co-workers. Even if you have nothing to talk to them about, reaching out even a little bit will let them know that you're not being aloof because you feel "above" them. It will also make you more approachable, and once you make greeting people a habit, you may find yourself being included in more conversations.

2.Have a little (or a lot) of patience: This tip is twofold. If you're a new employee, be patient when it comes to establishing a rapport with your co-workers. It doesn't happen overnight. People have to get used to you and vice versa. Don't give up if you're not making small talk at the water cooler after just a week. Eventually you'll find your voice in the work pool. If you're an established employee who has a hard time dealing with one (or a few) of your co-workers, the patience tip can be useful for you too. You may not like everyone you work with, but have a little tolerance for those who just seem to rub you the wrong way. There's a good chance they don't mean to do it and making an issue of it will only make everyone else in the office tense over the conflict.

3.Don't gossip: If you've ever been in earshot of two gossiping co-workers, you know how uncomfortable it can be, especially if you're the kind who wonders if they're talking about you. Even if you can hear what they're saying, many people find it uncomfortable when a colleague is being discussed in a less than flattering way. Do your part and keep any tidbits you might pick up to yourself. Likewise, if you have an issue with another worker, don't complain about them, even to fellow workers you do get along with. Handle any problems professionally by bringing them directly to the employee you have them with or to a manager. By not jumping on the gossip bandwagon, you'll not only be setting an example, you'll also be guarding yourself from saying anything that could come back to haunt you.

4.Be respectful no matter the situation: It's easy to form quick opinions of others in the company just based on a couple of quick meetings or even a pre-existing reputation. The problem is that first impressions truly are hard to shake. Do your part to get along with everyone by respecting everyone's ideas, input, and work ethic, even if it doesn't match yours. Show appreciation for the work of your fellow employees and compromise to finish projects or get big jobs done. Working with different personalities can be a learning experience, but only if you respect what others can bring to the office.

5.Don't throw stones in glass houses: Most everyone knows what this phrase means, but for those who don't, the basic idea is not to complain about others doing what you may be doing yourself. If you dislike a fellow employee because you believe they're lazy, don't spend most of your time reading emails and passing work off on someone else. If you complain about someone else taking time off or being constantly late, make it a point to be on time and call in as little as possible. While it may not be your place to chastise your fellow workers for their work habits, don't let yourself be hypocritical. Follow your own work ethic and do your part in keeping office harmony.

While it's not easy to predict what every work situation is going to be like or what kind of personalities are going to clash in one office, the universal truth is that work stress not only makes the job harder for those that have to go everyday, but it also decreases work production and morale. Do your part. Make it a point to get along with your co-workers and you might find a positive side to everyone...even those you don't like.