3 ways to show your colleagues that they are the real product

I’m a huge believer in relationship building, even if I know, at times, I can often be better. So, it makes me happy to hear from my current colleagues and those who have moved on to newer better things elsewhere.

It’s interesting that I don’t hear/read more articles on building relationships with your peers. It’s always about getting ahead or a focus on that side hustle. However, at work, your colleagues are the real products. They can make coming to the office a joy and provide motivation when things get difficult. When you don’t directly interact with customers, as part of your day job, they are the customers you can influence and, especially, be influenced by.

Your colleagues, like you, are more than their job titles and the work they do.

Getting out of your comfort zone

The first step is breaking down boundaries and develop better, more positive, interactions is by getting to know them personally. Relationships are built on trust and that needs to be earned. It used to be going out for a drink after work; getting a few colleagues together for intramural sports; or doing some kind of volunteer project as a group are all ways to foster successful interactions. But even in a post pandemic world, it can also be as simple as taking public transportation home together or a chat “virtual coffee” over zoom.

Learn to be more empathetic for your colleagues

Always be empathic to a colleagues situation in life, by remembering what it is like to be in their shoes. Are they getting married, have a first child, taking on a new responsibility at work. Congratulate them, see if they need extra help, or just lend an ear or be a second pair of eyes for them. We sometimes don’t take the time to think about what a colleague might be going through. This lack of empathy often comes from our feeling busy, stressed and overwhelmed, but putting that aside for others is a true test of trust building.

When that difficult work challenge comes up

We all have our difficult moments with colleagues. Maybe we need to offer some form of criticism. Well, this can be done in a way that makes the process easier for both people involved. Make an informal meeting with the colleague in question, preferably over coffee or tea, and think about the conclusion you want to achieve from the conversation before you even meet. Working backwards from the end, note down the three key goals you want to convey and the way in which you want to present them. If you’ve built up a trust with them, they’ll appreciate that you are looking out for them and offering instruction as opposed to critiquing.

Conclusion

I would love to be close friends with everyone I meet, but that’s not in cards everyday. That said, make time for your colleagues, they are potentially, kind, caring, intelligent and thoughtful individuals (Much like yourself!). Take care of them, build that trust, and you’ll have a happy and lifelong colleague you can rely on when times get tough for you.