co-workers

10 Ways to Improve Your Company's Culture, Even If You Aren't the Boss

Paul Michael — Thu, 12 Jul 2018 08:00:25 +0000

When you work for a company, you soon get to know its culture. Sometimes it's fantastic; everyone gets along great, and you pinch yourself to see if you're dreaming. Most of the time, however, company culture is in need of some improvement, if not a complete overhaul.

This is where you can help. Even if you're not the one in the corner office, you can still have a positive impact on your work environment and company culture. Here's how.

1. Don't help the gossip spread

One of the worst aspects of any company culture is the rumor mill. Almost every place of employment has it. If you're not the boss, and it's not your place to put your foot down about stopping the spread of gossip, you can at least do your part to limit how far it goes.

The best way to do that is to stop feeding into it yourself. Don't lean in at the water cooler when voices turn to whispers and someone is talking about a co-worker. Don't engage. Simply say you're not interested, and walk away. You may not be able to wipe it out entirely, but by becoming a positive influence, you may inspire others to avoid it as well. (See also: 8 Career Moves That Prove You're Finally a Grown-Up)

2. Look at "bad" projects with a fresh perspective

Something I have personally learned from my 20+ years working in advertising is that there aren't bad accounts. What happens is that the people working on them become jaded, relationships are strained, and they become awful to work on. Then, a new hire comes in and suddenly that account is turned around for the better, simply because the newcomer had no history with it. Use this perspective to your advantage.

What projects are just awful? Which tasks are dreaded? Which people seem to just collapse when they hear the name of a certain client or account? Take a look at it with fresh eyes. Why is it bad? Are people actively making the situation worse with a negative attitude? What can you do in the next week to turn that ship around?

3. Get in earlier and leave a little later

Remember the zip and zeal you had for the job when you first arrived? You couldn't wait to get to your desk and dig into the work day. After a while, that get-up-and-go has got up and left, and you're probably like most other people now. The same routine. The same habits. Why not change it up and go back to the attitude you had during the first few weeks?

Get in earlier, and be the first one to make the coffee for everyone. Do the rounds and say hi to other people as they come in (it's amazing what a friendly smile can do to lift anyone's spirits). Hang out a little later than usual, and when you do leave, do so with some pep in your step. You'll be surprised at how infectious your new lease on life will be. (See also: 10 Small Gestures That Go a Long Way at Work)

4. Strive for the culture you want to have

You know that adage, "Dress for the position you want?" Well, the same applies to company culture. Rather than accepting that this is the way it is, make your actions fall in line with the culture you'd rather have.

Admittedly, it'll be baby steps at first. You can't suddenly start working from home three days a week when the policy is dead set against it. But you can make small changes that can incrementally lead to bigger ones.

For instance, some places like to get all the employees together on a Friday evening to mingle, with drinks and snacks provided. Why not ask if you can start something like that? Get people interested in providing refreshments as a group effort. Do it after everyone's work is done. This simple act of togetherness could impact the morale and thinking of the whole company.

5. Provide solutions, don't just point out problems

It's incredibly easy to voice a negative opinion about something. How many times have you seen a political party rant and rave about a policy they don't like, but come up with empty rhetoric when asked to give a real solution? As we all know, building something up is way harder than knocking it down, so don't bring a sledgehammer to the debate.

Instead, look at what you think is wrong and find ways to give solutions to the people at the top. This could be through your manager, human resources, or even a company suggestion box. Writing, "The dress code here sucks" is nowhere near as effective as writing, "Let's dress in casual clothes, but have a smart outfit on hand in case of client meetings."

6. Don't go it alone

There is strength in numbers, and that could not be more true for shifting the corporate culture. If one person comes to the boss asking for more paid sick leave, it's just one voice. If it's half the company, the boss will sit up and take notice.

Find people who believe in the same changes and improvements you do, and get organized. Make regular petitions to the boss for small but important changes that would improve the morale of the whole company. When the boss gets the chance to make everyone happy and look good, without forking over an arm and a leg, they'll do it.

7. Never make it personal

This ties in nicely with the last point, but it's worth noting that your own bugbears are not going to be a good enough reason to make any significant changes. Maybe you loved working remotely two days a week at your last job, but if this current company doesn't allow that for anyone, they're not going to make an exception just to please you. Saying, "I work better with music" is not going to fly if no one else wants to hear music all day. Instead, find a way to make your personal case one that doesn't require big changes — like, for example, asking if you can wear headphones.

8. Acknowledge any effort management makes to change

The first time you cook any kind of meal, it's not going to turn out perfect. Imagine your reaction if the person you made it for said, "This is dry, has way too much salt, and it took you hours to get it done!" Chances are, you're not cooking for that person again any time soon.

It's the same with management. They're people, not faceless entities. When they see a problem and do what they can to try and make it even a little better, let them know. Sure, the pot luck was poorly organized, few people came, and there wasn't enough time to enjoy it. Praise the positives, with suggestions on how it can be even better when they try again. Encouragement goes much further than scorn.

9. Work your magic with people who have influence

You're not the boss. You may not even speak to the boss on a weekly basis. However, you will almost certainly know someone that does, and you can use that to your advantage.

When you see them in the break room, make time to sit down and have a chat. Talk about what you would do to make things better if you had the boss's ear. Provide suggestions that this contact can use as his or her own, and in turn relay them to the decision makers. It doesn't matter who takes credit for a better culture. The reward is the culture itself — not the accolade of changing it.

10. Know why the culture changes you want are required

Some of the greatest company cultures in the world are envied by us all. However, they're not appropriate or doable for every company, and asking for something totally out of reach could sink any chances you have for small successes.

For example, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts regularly makes the list of one of the top places to work in the world. Remember though, they are in the business of happiness and fantasy, and many of their company policies are not going to go over well in a manufacturing plant or accountancy firm.

Look at your business and see what can be done to improve things for good reason. A generous vacation policy is valuable everywhere, as is an on-site gym, corporate discounts, and 401(k) matches. If you say you want all-you-can-drink soda and snacks for free, and a massive entertainment system in the break room, you better be able to back that up with more than "Because it would be cool." (See also: 5 Ways Employee Perks Are Good for Business)

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Office Decorations Your Co-Workers Hate

Amanda Meadows — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 16:00:10 +0000

Every office has one. The person with the annoying desk with too many tschotskes, light-up dolls, and odors like a mall food court. Don't be the person whom everyone jokes about at lunch. Avoid these five office decorations your co-workers hate.

1. Cheesy Motivational Posters

That's right, your "Keep Calm & ____" poster is lame and everyone judges you for it. Your intentions are good — you want to keep a positive thought nearby and encourage a good work ethic. However, all those prints and posters feel showy, and sometimes, a little condescending. Even worse are those 90s swap meet motivational posters. They do not really "motivate" anyone and are annoying to see walking past your desk.

2. Tons of Toys

Do you work at a pop culture or media company? Great, everyone will likely have tons of pop culture ephemera on their desks. But if you don't? Showcasing a pile of action figures, plush dolls, stuffed animals, and bobbleheads can be the antithesis of professionalism. Worse yet? Anything that can appear sexist, like sexy comic book or anime figures of any gender are not a good idea. In the wrong company, you could look like a fanboy weirdo.

Also falling into this category are decorations that talk or flash lights, like a singing fish or a Santa doll that shouts whenever you walk by it. These irksome gizmos are the bane of your co-workers' existence.

3. Massive Indoor Plants

Your giant fern is disturbing. No one entering your workspace wants to feel like they're navigating the rainforest. Having a cute potted plant can be a great way to spruce up your desk or cubicle, but once it becomes its own entity requiring trimming with a machete, get rid of it. Brushing past someone's big plant is exactly the kind of mildly awkward work encounter that your co-workers would love to avoid.

4. Anything Smelly

Weird smells are a known enemy of the workplace. From scented oil diffusers and cinnamony pine cones to fishy lunches, distracting smells will make your cubicle mates hate you. Equally terrible are delivered gifts like flowers or edible arrangements that are kept for days as decoration. There is always someone who gets an Edible Arrangement and never eats it, leaving it on the desk to decompose like a science experiment. Trust me, that person's co-workers would love to tell their significant other to stop sending you goodies.

5. The Holiday Candy Display

You know that person who always has a festive a bowl of candy on their desk? Co-workers read that as a desperate invitation for conversation. They always get lured in at first, then will grow to resent the lame prompt for small talk. They'll soon avoid you like the old folks who give out raisins at Halloween. Instead, try treating the whole office to cupcakes once or twice a year — that will make you a hero.

What office decorations do you hate?

This article is from Amanda Meadows of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Get Along With Someone You Hate

Paul Michael — Fri, 16 May 2014 08:24:30 +0000

Let's start out with this fact: Annoying people are inevitable. Work colleagues, neighbors, friends and family — you can't hide from them forever. While you might want to give your boss a huge piece of your mind (and he or she could probably really use it), you need to keep your job!

But here's another fact that you may not want to come to terms with — hate is a destructive feeling, and one that you have complete power over. Think about it for a second. Do you hate this person or do they just bug you a little? Hate, after all, is defined as "an intense loathing for someone or something" and very few people in this world have done anything to deserve that. By hating, you are already making a mountain out of a molehill.

But what do you do? You don't have to be caught in the trap of seething quietly with rage (which will eventually explode) or acting out and getting into real trouble. Here are several ways to deal with those people you just don't like. Remember, we can't change others, only ourselves. And by changing how we view these people, we can overcome our feelings and become stronger.

Don't Obsess Over Their Comments

If you water and tend to a garden, it will flourish…even if that garden is filled with the weeds of hate and resentment. But these seeds of doubt that people plant in your head never have to take root. Don't give an annoying person any of your time and mind space, and remember the words of Esther Lederer, one of America's greatest advice columnists; "Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head."

Don't Play Their Game

Is this person a one-upper? Are they constantly trying to make themselves out to be better than you? You know they type — they'll tell you they ran 10 miles before the sun rose, got a new job as a designer, got engaged to a model, and just bought a new yacht. Some of this may be true, most will be exaggerated or just a complete lie.

You can feel irked, or you can brush it off. Just say, "Oh, cool!" and walk away. Don't engage in it. You will never beat a one-upper at his or her own game, but if you refuse to play, they're forced to move to another person who will.

Stop Creating Stories of Your Own

"She's trying to get attention from the boss, and that's annoying."

"He thinks I'm stupid, and that's why he's talking down to me."

"They are moving slowly because they have no respect for my time!"

That person you "hate" may be a victim of your own interpretation. They're not doing anything to be malicious, or hurtful, or snide. They are just living their life, and you are inventing stories around their behavior. Step back, and do a paradigm shift. Are they being a mean person, or are you interpreting their actions as mean? Sometimes, it really is a big misunderstanding.

Understand Yourself

Sometimes that rude person is…YOU! Maybe not today, but there have been times that you were not aware of your rudeness, but others were.

Dr. Phil has a saying he uses often, and I'm paraphrasing here — "There's something about that good ol' boy that I really don't like about myself." This is true the world over. Sometimes, that flaw you dislike in someone is actually your own flaw. Are you being overly sensitive about it because it's something you do? Think about that the next time you want to jump on someone.

Walk Away

If you see this person regularly, but it's not a family member, they will soon learn that their behavior will only result in you walking away. They can then decide whether they will address you carefully next time, or they will find another person from which to get their needs met and still maintain their awful attitude.

Lower Your Standards

Then lower them a bit more.

It might sound like something you don't want to do, but it lends a lot to your own experience. Instead of perpetual disappointment, how about being surprised at the wonderful things that happen throughout your day.

Add the Words, "In My Opinion…" to the Things Stupid People Say

If he or she says, "That won't work!" you should consciously hear, "In my opinion, that won't work." Boom, with one phrase you have diffused the entire enraging comment. Now, it's just an opinion. And opinions are not right or wrong. In turn, how on Earth can you get angry with a statement of opinion versus an incorrect statement of fact? It's much easier to brush off.

Tell Them Where You Stand

It's not always easy to tell the truth, but it will save your sanity in the long run. Some people don't know their behavior is annoying until you tell them, so if they barge into your office and want to talk forever, let them know from the get-go how many minutes you can spare. That way you are listening, but don't feel enraged that they are eating up your time, wondering how long this will drag on. Once again, it's toxic for you to quietly rage at their behavior. Get it all out on the table.

Watch How Other People Deal With Them

That person you dislike may have a really good way of getting under your skin. But other people, they don't seem to affect at all. How are they dealing with them? Do they experience the same level of annoyance that you do? Are they even laughing with this person? Take them to one side and ask, tactfully, how they get along with this person. They may give you a new perspective on their personality, or give you a few tips for rising above the fray.

It's Nothing Personal

Most annoying people are like that with everyone. They are just stupid, rude, or mean to everyone. When they are saying rude comments to you, or even about you, it's easy to get upset, but step back and look at the bigger picture. Is this how they talk to everyone? Are you really being singled out? When you realize that it's just who they are, and you're in the same boat with everyone else, it's much easier to brush it off.

Look for the Humor in the Situation

When all else fails, because you need to respect your relatives and keep your job, find the humor in their annoying behavior and take mental notes for you to tell your friends later. As that person you hate is giving you all this grief, they're also giving you enough material to write a book, or at least give your family and friends a laugh. They may even catch you smiling as they're talking to you, and wonder why you're so pleased.

Remember, the people in your life that you "hate" are just people. They are flawed. They are annoying. But aren't we all sometimes? By simply changing the way you deal with them, and their comments, they don't ever have to get under your skin again.

How do you deal with people you just can't stand? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Paul Michael of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

20 Gift Ideas for Your Co-Workers

Linda Condrillo — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 10:24:04 +0000

Wondering how to spread some joy to the folks you spend most of your waking hours with? Giving gifts to co-workers can be a challenge, especially if you aren't the one handing out the bonuses. Here are some presents to suit everyone's budget (and briefcase).

Fun Holiday Food

Let's start with the edibles (they always go first).

1. Sweet Treats

Nothing says "Happy Holidays" better than chocolate, or cupcakes, or cookies, or popcorn. Wrap up treats in a variety of paper cake totes found at Michaels, and try these recipes for specialty popcorn from Fabulously Frugal. You'll be the most popular in your office, for a few minutes anyway.

2. Chocolate

Emergency chocolate bars (about $3 each) are a fun and inexpensive, and they're perfect if you work in a doctor's office or a hospital, or for stocking stuffers at any workplace. Animal loving co-workers will love chocolate bars from Rescue Chocolate (profits are donated to animal rescue organizations). They're kosher, vegan, handcrafted in Brooklyn, NY, organic, and delicious, and your co-workers will appreciate the good cause.

3. Cookies That Fight Pediatric Cancer

Another edible gift that gives back is gourmet cookies from Cookies for Kids' Cancer. Knowing that 100% of the profits go to support their mission of finding new and improved therapies for pediatric cancer will warm everyone's heart this holiday.

A Gift Is in the Cards

Some things money just can't buy. For the co-workers who want for nothing, an expression of gratitude and wishes for a happy holiday handwritten in a beautiful card can be the most treasured gift of all. Consider supporting local artists who sell cards on Etsy.

For the co-workers on your good list, pick up a box of inexpensive note cards, and tuck a little something special into them. If you're at a loss for words, use the following suggested sentiments for a happy holiday.

4. Lottery Tickets

Write inside: "Here's to a prosperous New Year!" If you happen to be particularly close with a co-worker, you could add, "Working with you is like winning the lottery every day."

5. Gift Cards to the Movies or Their Favorite Coffee Bar

Suggested sentiment: "Enjoy some time away from this place!"

6. Charity Gift Cards

TisBest Charity Gift Cards allows the recipient to direct the designated funds to any of the 300 nonprofits listed on their website. It's a gift that you can feel good about giving and receiving. (Great for those who have everything).

7. Homemade Gift Certificates

Download free gift certificates from gifttemplate.com and give a gift of "one hour of phone coverage" or "one errand of your choice during lunchtime," or, "drinks (or lunch) on me, after the holidays."

8. Writing Instruments

Pens make great gifts and there are so many options to choose from at every price point. "Mad Men" fans will love this one from 1928, or shop online from Papyrus for more.

9. The Card Is Your Gift!

Co-workers who love gardening will love a pocket garden of plant-able cards from Botanical Paperworks.

Touchy Feely, Comfy Cozy

Everyone loves giving and getting warm and fuzzy gifts. Even the smallest of tokens can make a co-worker feel special. According to Monica Smith of Richer Resources, gifts have a way of contributing to a close knit family feeling to any office or business . To help make the rest of the year go by with greater camaraderie and less stress, consider:

10. Inspirational Quotes

You can find beautifully rendered, easy to read, inspirational reading for around $12, such as Mankind's Wisdom from Aristotle to Zimmerman.

11. Fun Socks

Kendall Perez of Hassle Free Savings says that she loves giving gifts to her coworkers and feels it is totally appropriate to buy them something small during the holidays. To save money at her favorite retailer, she recommends the Coupon Sherpa mobile app. Last year she scored five pair of fun argyle socks at Target for just $5!

Earth friendly co-workers will appreciate socks from Cupio.org, a lifestyle brand dedicated to preserving prime rainforest around the globe. For men and women.

12. Warm Gloves

A pair of one size fits all stretchy gloves with a simple note, "Thanks for lending a hand throughout the year," is a warm and welcome gift. Found everywhere from under $2. DIYers can make them extra special by sewing metallic thread into the fingertips for the friends at work who can't stop texting.

For Coffee, Tea, and Water Drinkers

Co-workers on caffeine will appreciate getting "coffee with a cause."

13. Coffee of Grace

Inspired by the spirit of the Rwandan people, Grace Hightower De Niro (yes, Robert DeNiro's wife) has created coffees to celebrate and support the coffee farmers of Rwanda at Coffee of Grace. Direct sourcing, fair trade, ethical practices, and environmental stewardship will put "Joy to the World" in everyone's cup all year round.

14. Joe Jacket Drink Sleeves

Perfect for the eco conscious coffee lovers in your office. The lightweight, cushy tapered drink sleeves protect fingers from hot beverages. Just $7 from an Oregon based company with a passion for the environment, coffee, and animals.

15. Fair Trade Tea

The folks at Zhi Tea also love the spirit of giving that the holidays embody. Hand blended in small artisan batches in Austin, TX, their teas are organic, and fair trade imports range from malty Assams from India to nutty roobios from South Africa to ancient tea trees in Vietnam. (See also: Where to Buy Tea Online)

16. A Water Bottle That Filters

Tap drinkers in the office will appreciate the Bobble, a water bottle with a built in filter and available in an array of colors and three sizes. Bonus: you'll be saving about 300 plastic water bottles from the landfill.

Fun and Functional

Gag gifts are a waste of money, but 'tis the season to be jolly, so why not bring a little fun into the office?

17. A Waterproof Notepad

Aquanotes, a product inspired by brilliant ideas that hail from the shower, is a waterproof notepad that suctions to bathroom tile, allowing shower thinkers to write down their thoughts (before they're gone) on waterproof paper that's recyclable. A real find at just $7.

18. The Finders Key Purse

For $6.95, you'll want to give everyone in your office a Finders Key Purse. One hundred designs to choose from, and just the thought of never fishing for your keys at the bottom of your purse (or messenger bag) will take some of the stress out of the holidays ahead!

19. PC Gadgets

Boost the spirit of any co-worker holiday with these playful USB chargers. Meet Andru and Andra, from Gen. Or save your co-workers day with these cute USB flash drives.

20. Need more help? Ask a "Cultural Concierge"

Search Headbutler's list of products for lots of smart reviews by Jesse Kornbluth. Be sure to e-scribe to his website for more suggestions on music, movies, and other cool stuff all year long — it's free, and my gift to you. Happy Holidays everyone!

What was the best gift you ever received from a co-worker? The worst?

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This article is from Linda Condrillo of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Boost Your Career: How to Be Happier and More Likeable at Work

Kentin Waits — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 14:06:49 +0000

It seems like everyone is pulling double-duty and working longer hours these days. Career has always been a big part of the American identity, and as our economy rights itself after so much upheaval, I wonder what's been lost? In keeping our collective nose to the grindstone, have we ignored our work relationships? If you're wondering how to enjoy work more and be more likeable at work, here are a few strategies that can help remake your outlook — and your reputation. (See also: Become a Star Employee by Thinking Like an Entrepreneur)

Rise Above the Gossip

Most offices run on three things — coffee, Windows, and gossip. The most likeable employees stick to just the coffee and Windows. Though gossip can be enticing and often even feel semi-work-related, it's not a good foundation for building positive work relationships for a couple of reasons. First, many folks use gossip as a way to bond, similar to how good friends share secrets. But since gossip tends to be circular in nature, it's nearly impossible to participate in a culture of gossip without eventually gossiping about those closest to you. And to complicate matters further, gossip can color our opinions about other coworkers and indirectly sabotage our work relationships and over time, limit our professional networks. (See also: Honesty Is the Best Policy, Especially at Work)

Become a Resource

Especially for new employees, becoming a resource in a particular area of your job can serve as the perfect means of introduction and the foundation of good working relationships. Can you get the copier un-jammed faster than anyone else? Know how to get a few more miles out of every toner cartridge? Are you the go-to guy or gal for navigating your employer's elaborate intranet? Establishing a reputation as a resource even in relatively trivial areas can help make you indispensable and help coworkers associate you with solutions.

Be Approachable

Strict nine-to-fivers who are mainly concerned with putting in their time and heading home tend not to be the most likeable characters at work. If you find yourself in this group, you can gradually change it by:

Taking a real lunch hour and eating in a communal space with your co-workers.
Joining in office celebrations and other activities that are sponsored by your employer.
Stopping what you're doing, listening, and making eye contact when you're approached with a question or asked for help.
Volunteering your expertise and insight when you notice someone struggling with a work challenge or professional issue.

Give and Accept Compliments

Sometimes a sincere compliment can mean the difference between a stressful and exhausting workday and a tolerable one. The best coworkers understand this and provide genuine kudos when the occasion calls for it. Likewise, it's important to accept compliments with gratitude and without the self-effacing dance that so many of us feel obliged to perform when a compliment comes our way. In short, look for real opportunities for praise, especially if you manage people. And when praise comes your way, embrace it! (See also: 20 Free Ways to Show You Care)

Don't Run From Your Mistakes

Let's face it, mistakes happen. Remember, the employer who only hires perfect people is woefully and perpetually short-staffed. The best employees understand that mistakes are part of life and part of learning. When a project goes south or a deadline is missed, own it, apologize, and move on. If you need to work through another person's mistake as a coworker or manager, accept his apology and look for solutions together.

Share Successes

Few things in our work worlds happen in isolation. Successes are no exception. Likeable coworkers share the wins and acknowledge the hard work and efforts of everyone involved in a project. Formally and informally spread the wealth of success and you'll soon have a stellar reputation for fair-mindedness, humility, and kindness. (See also: Career Advice From "Parks and Recreation")

Sweat the Small Stuff

Getting along with coworkers and building enduring positive working relationships is less a science and more an art. Remembering details like a child's graduation, a wedding anniversary, or the surgery date of sick relative can go miles in promoting strong bonds. Expressing a sincere, but professional level of interest in the lives of your coworkers shows your humanity and that's the foundation of likeability.

Remember, being liked at work stems from being genuinely likable and that's not the same as being nice-but-phony. The best coworkers look for ways to promote positive environments, get the most from their teams, mix a little fun with productivity, and remember the human side of business. When done right and done well, likeability is nearly unavoidable.

What tips do you have for those who'd like to improve their likability factor at work? What's worked for you?

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways Being Nice at Work Can Payoff

Ben Edwards — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:48:12 +0000

Several years ago, the Harvard Business Review published an essay about jerks at work that the author eventually turned into a book called The No A**hole Rule. I’ve never read the book, but it talks about how to avoid being a jerk at work and how to deal with people who are acting like jerks.

Treating co-workers poorly isn’t the best career move. But we’ve all had bad days (or weeks), and sometimes the stress of the job can get to us. If you find yourself hating a co-worker or wanting to yell over the cube wall in frustration, just keep in mind these five ways that being nice at work can payoff. (See also: The Dos and Don'ts of Handling a Coworker You Hate via Currency)

1. It Helps Score Good Projects

No matter what industry you work in, there are always certain projects that are more desirable than others. Sometimes these types of projects require specialized skills that only certain people have. However, in some instances, multiple people are qualified to handle that type of work, and how your boss assigns projects can be subjective. If you’re easy to work with and get along with a variety of personalities, then your boss may be more likely to pick you since you may help the project go more smoothly.

2. It Helps Extend Your Reputation

If you have a history of working well with other people, then you may be assigned projects that require extensive integration and interaction within your organization or with outside clients. Although coordinating schedules and getting people to agree and work together can frustrating, it can also pay off. A major benefit of being in this role is that you build relationships and networks all around your organization and externally as well.

For example, in a former job one of our big clients was a major online brokerage, and we worked extensively with one lady in their organization. She was great to work with, so when the brokerage made some big changes and she lost her job, we hired her to work for us.

3. It Earns Future Referrals

If you find yourself unexpectedly out of work, it’s much easier to get a quick reference from a former co-worker if they have fond memories of working with you. Or if it's a pre-meditated job change, you can fish out some of the goodwill while you’re still there.

Before I left an old job, I sent out an “exit survey” of my own, asking co-workers for feedback on my time working with them. I asked for things I could improve on as well as areas where they thought I did a great job. Their answers were great material for a resume and referrals.

4. It Opens Networking Options

Nice people get invited to happy hours; grouchy people don’t. Some of the best networking opportunities you’ll have are outside of work. Whether it’s catching a baseball game, meeting for dinner, or going to a co-worker’s holiday party, your chances of getting an invitation to mingle are much higher if you’re nice to the people you work with.

5. It Makes Your Job Easier

Being nice to other people can make your job easier. How many times have you been told something will take three days, but when you call your buddy in that department they're able to slip it through in an afternoon? Building social capital by being nice can help get you around the chain of command and policies and procedures.

One key to being seen as a nice person is to be a good listener. Don’t spend the whole meeting, phone call, or work break talking about yourself. In general, people like to talk about themselves, their needs, and the situations they’re in. Let them talk. People often feel better after they’ve said their piece and gotten confirmation that you’ve heard what they’ve had to say. Not only will they feel better, but the things you learn while letting them talk can turn out to be valuable pieces of information down the road.

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This article is from Ben Edwards of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: