7 ways to make a good impression with your colleagues

Group dynamics are different at work compared to anything you’ve experienced before. At college or university and even at school, you don’t get the same sense of permanence or legacy that you experience at work.

This is because it’s real life now. This is you – you are defining yourself in everything you do.

So who do you want to be known as? The jerk on 2nd floor or the nice, friendly smart guy?

Here are some tips to impress your colleagues:

1. Remember their names: One of the most important things you can do to build relationships is to remember people’s names. They feel important when you’ve bothered to learn their name and when you use it in conversation with them.
2. Remember your manner: Say ‘Thank you’ and ‘Please’ when you deal with your colleagues. It shows respect and is a must, regardless of rank.
3. Talk to people: Get to know your colleagues by asking questions and being interested in them. Once you get to know someone a little better, they become ‘one of the crowd’ as opposed to some person at work.
4. Be helpful: Help carry a box, or get the coffee order now and again, just be generally courteous and you will build relationships fast. Of course, if you can help them with a work-related matter, beyond your work scope, even better.
5. Opt for team work rather than competitiveness: You may think it’s cool to be competitive with your colleagues but it can become too much. Rather team up with your colleagues to become competitive against external factors.
6. Support your colleagues: Don’t railroad your colleagues in meetings. Rather support them and give them the benefit of the doubt.
7. Make work fun: Nobody likes to work with grumpy people. Be fun, be funny and make work a place you want to go to every day for you and everyone else.

Work relationships are really important, build as many as you can and don’t bother with the politics – they only make you look bad.