Everybody knows the saying that “humans are social animals,” but most people don’t know that the rest of that famous passage from Aristotle warns us that if you can’t get along, you’re going to be a beast alone in the wilderness. In most business settings we work around other people and are expected to get along.
Businesses expect employees to work together effectively and collaboratively – and to keep the workplace drama to a minimum. I always advised people that you may not have to like everyone that you work with, but you had better not let on that you don’t.
Being warm, generous, cooperative, and likeable doesn’t always come naturally in an environment where you are forced to be social and dependent upon people you didn’t choose, but that is exactly what employers expect, and failing to build strong relationships can lead to personal misery, career stallout, or early unemployment.
Dr. Mac Powell is an executive in the world of higher education and is passionate about developing strategies for the growth and development of the community. Below, Dr. Powell shares some basic principles that can help guide your behavior and make a big difference in your reputation as well as your career.
Be respectful – the golden rule really does work; “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” In business settings, there are always different views, different perspectives and in today’s global business setting, different cultures and backgrounds. This makes for a dynamic workforce. Don’t just notice the differences, take time to seek them out. Spend time understanding how others see situations differently than you do and give verbal or written feedback appreciating the difference.
Also, recognize that we all have difference styles of communication. Some people are quieter and more reserved, but that does not mean they cannot make a significant contribution or don’t want to be included in decision-making. Help provide an environment that no matter your orientation, belief-system, decision-making style, or communication style, your teams are included and respected. Ask people what they think, and respect that opinion (even if you disagree).
Listen – listening skills need to be developed no matter how good a listener you think you are. Listening means you are not thinking about what you are going to say but that you are actively hearing others in the conversation. If I’m listening well, I often forget what I was planning on saying and instead spend time reframing, restating, and exploring other people’s ideas. And people want to know they have been heard. Having a reputation for good listening with colleagues can make a difference in what you accomplish. You learn a lot when you listen.
As you build deeper relationships with your colleagues, being able to recall important points from a conversation not only makes you more knowledgeable, it reinforces that you respect and appreciate those around you. And that always builds trust and impresses management. Acknowledge others and reinforce and support the best ideas of your colleagues.
Know your stuff – you have a job to do and do it well. Be an expert in whatever that job is. People depend on you. This applies whether you are a receptionist or an attorney. It is the combination of everyone’s knowledge that makes a business successful. My favorite quote, one that I used to have on my daily planners was from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper. He should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all hosts of heaven and earth pause to say; Here lives a great sweeper who did his job well.”
Being diligent and focused not only leads to promotions, it leads to respect. Coworkers want to be able to rely on you and trust you, not just for your personality, but for your expertise. Take pride in what you do and everyone benefits.
No bluffing – everyone has circumstances where they do not know something, even if they should. Bluffing is obvious. Do not let the ego take over. Ego says, “Bluff your way through”; “don’t look bad.” Honesty in these circumstances also goes a long way. State what you know and what you do not know. Getting a reputation for bluffing means people will no longer listen to you, and your views have less value.
Also, if you “know your stuff” you do not need to bluff. Even if you do not know something or get caught unprepared, when people know they can rely on you for solid performance and results, there is no need to bluff. Just tell the truth. Sometimes, the most honest, vulnerable, and effective thing you can say is, “I don’t know.”
Do not gossip – co-workers that gossip are dangerous. Gossip is counter-productive and often damaging, and it’s hard to build trust with co-workers if you are known to share private conversations and pass along rumors. There can be a fine line between gossip and productive information exchange. It is essential to know the difference.
Companies do not consider people for advancement that do not understand the importance of how sensitive information is exchanged. The further up an organization you go, the more information is proprietary and confidential. If you have a reputation for gossiping, companies are not confident that you know how to handle sensitive information.
Getting along with co-workers is not always easy. Some people are just difficult to deal with. However, if you have some basic principles that guide how you interact with others, your co-workers know what to expect from you and admire that consistency.
About Dr. Mac Powell:
Dr. Mac Powell is a Ph.D. graduate from the University of Missouri who also holds an MBA from National University. He has integrated himself in the terrain of compassion that is completely in line with who he is to a tee. As a clinical therapist, an executive of several universities, and chair of ACE’s Commission on Education Attainment and Innovation, Dr. Powell has given his life to the noble cause of helping others improve their lives, especially in empowering them with greater access to affordable higher education.
