Simple Ways to Get Along with Your Coworker

Getting along with your coworker can seem like a task harder than the job itself. However, there are ways to get along with your coworker, and it requires a little belligerence.

In the sense of belligerence, we mean actively seek the right people to collaborate with and share your empathy, patience, and skills, to everyone you work with.

Many times a coworker is envious, or frustrated and feeling inadequate about his or her own work performance. Some of these issues stem from childhood issues that were never resolved, while some of the issues could be pressure to support their family. Seeing you as a competitor only makes their jobs tougher and their rejection towards you higher.

There are many things that you can do to conquer uneasy feelings at work with a dislikeable coworker. Let's look at some of the things you can do to get along with your coworker and enjoy the work given to you.

Praise them. Compliment on an area or project the worker is doing. Be specific. Just saying, "Good work," may seem unauthentic. Show them why you thought it was good work. Was it creative? Let them know why it was creative specifically. Tell them that you want to show this to others. Mention this on a lunch break to another positive employee. This will not only expand the horizons for him or her, but it will show others your interest in the company's work, and show others the positive role model you are.

Be attentive. Show your coworker that you care by listening attentively. Just nodding your heading in agreement or understanding may not be enough. Repeat what the coworker said and respond specifically. Sometimes just listening is enough. If a crabby coworker is mean to you and ends up at the water cooler one day, eager to release his frustrations, you can be there to understand and identify with.

Have Empathy. Have empathy rather than disdain for a disgruntled coworker. If they are feeling overwhelmed with a deadline, offer to help on lunch break or take on a simple task or two. It would be best not to offer a task that the coworker could feel threatened, if they feel you may get credit for it. Offer a no credit errand or anything that will help them unravel the engulfing task.

Do not judge. Allow people to have their own personality, lifestyle, dress, or way of doing work. Appreciate the differences and the diversity among the workplace. The diversity could end up saving your job, or making it interesting and worthwhile in the end.

Be a positive role model. People enjoy the company of other positive people. Show your social skills and let others feel your affirmative attitude and work.

If you still cannot get along with your coworker, it may be time to have a talk with them. It takes both to get along. Sometimes, there isn't anything you can do. That person needs professional help. It will then no longer be your problem. The coworker needs to work this out personally. Continue to be a positive role model. Have the ability to inspire and support others; it is a crucial trait for managers. However, just because a coworker may need professional help, does not mean to eliminate the steps above.

It takes a strong, positive role model to get along with a disgruntled coworker, but only a good worker will concentrate their efforts on the job at hand.