The workplace is a minuscule society, having many individuals working together towards a common goal. In a typical corporate environment, people with different backgrounds, behaviours and tendencies are all unavoidably present.
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Most times, some employees tend to be much concerned with going to work, closing for the day and getting that paycheck – that’s totally understandable.
Bonding allows for open communication and social comfort within a workspace will help increase the speed of functionality and productivity in a company as a whole. At the individual level, research reports that staff members who have a great relationship with coworkers and social skills within and outside the workplace are highly considered for promotion. This indicates that you can actually achieve elevation in your career through workplace interactions.
If you are clueless about how to go about this exercise, take action on the steps below:
Due to the inherent traditions in Nigerian society, it is already a given that greeting is a norm amongst workers for workplaces. Workers who do not greet or acknowledge the presence of other coworkers are likely to be perceived as rude, proud and snobbish. Although this might not be your intention – probably you just don’t like to talk or are a big-time introvert – they might not all understand. Regardless, if you are very intentional about bonding with your teammates, the best way to start is by greeting. Try greeting as many colleagues as you can in the mornings and while doing so, show interest in your simple interaction with a genuine smile. You could also add a relaxed joke, no matter how dry, to ensure you get a laugh. But be careful with your manner of approach or choice of a joke as it might be offensive to the person you’re interacting with.
This might not be easy for staff members working in a giant corporation, but you still have to make efforts in remembering coworker’s names whenever possible.
When you remember a person’s name and use it correctly, you tell them that they matter and are important to you. Remembering their names shows you are also able to recall important things from previous conversations with them, that could impress them and draw them even closer to you.
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Don’t hide your personality
Show them the real you. In an attempt to put up an air of professionalism, we bury our own personalities. That is a terribly wrong approach to doing things. In order to create an open and comfortable work environment, you will have to strike a balance between your personality and your work confidence.
Show sincere appreciation of other people’s differences and inputs. If they have not felt accepted before, this will help instil a feeling of belonging through you. They will never forget your comfortable gestures and homely words.
No matter how hard work may seem, do not mount the pressure on the people around you. Having a positive and optimistic outlook in a stressful situation is valued by others. No matter how difficult it may seem, steer clear from negativity, downer comments or harsh criticisms within the office.
Get to know your coworkers outside the normal work environment. You can achieve this by inviting them to social events such as home parties, game shows, beach parties and other engagements. If you hadn’t been able to bond in the office, there is no way you wouldn’t be outside it.
You do not need to be BFF’s with coworkers. You just need to bond with colleagues to show you’re here, you’re relevant and you care. This will take you many miles as human beings tend to appreciate comely individuals.
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