Is workplace popularity important? Certainly! Most people prefer to work with people they enjoy, admire and trust. In a Bayt.com “Employee Motivation in the MENA workplace” poll, when professionals were asked what their number one loyalty motivation was, 16.5% said it was “relationships with their boss/management/colleagues.” Also in a Bayt.com Absenteeism in the MENA Workplace poll, “bad employee/manager relations” were cited by 9% of polled professionals as a leading reason for absenteeism. Clearly getting along with people is an important factor that contributes to productivity, engagement and general satisfaction in the workplace. The good news is that everyone can be popular at work if they strive to be. What are some things you can do to gain in workplace popularity? Well here are just a few easy tips gathered from the career experts at Bayt.com to help you be more popular at work:
Rather than dwelling on colleagues’ areas of weakness and deficiency; aim to bring out the best in them. A genuine positivity in your outlook and approach will reap tremendous benefits in terms of how others perceive you and will earn you kudos as you try to get buy-in from colleagues and different stakeholders within your organisation.
Do you turn every story you hear into a story about you? Are you perhaps known in some circles as a little egocentric or self-centered at times? Try to show more interest in other people and be as genuine as you can. Practice active listening instead of talking and genuinely show empathy and understanding and interest towards those you work with. It’s great if you are in top form and have great stories to tell but be conscious not to intimidate or alienate those who are trying to impress you and gain a little recognition of their own.
No harm in being the wit of the office or the office night owl or clown as long as you are never trespassing on any professional codes of conduct. Render permanently to never-land anything that smacks of belittling, demeaning or badmouthing colleagues or ex-employers, nasty gossip and anything that involves short-circuiting the company’s and general professional norms, rules and regulations.
Watch your popularity quotient soar as you offer to help around the office be it in planning the next company fiesta, spearheading a recycling drive, finding a new home for the company parrot or assisting a member of the team in a difficult task or project. Be an expert in what you do and give of that expertise willingly and generously. Also try to regularly share your learnings with those around you.
Try to make a real difference in whatever way you enjoy and think you can contribute best. If you bake a mean summer fruit tart, grow a fiercely redolent kala lily, or paint a lovely rustic scene, do try to share the fruits of your labor with your colleagues either within or after office hours; sharing is caring after all! If there is a company sports or arts or culture or recycling or innovation or coaching team that you think you could contribute to, join that too; and if not, consider starting one!
If you have heard it once you have heard it umpteen times over in various tones and contexts; treat others as you would like to be treated. This includes not playing favorites in the workplace and never being less than charitable towards anyone. Aim to spread peace and cooperation and understanding and goodwill at work as you would at home and see how the path you facilitate for others enables your own happiness and success.
We have all been touched by professionals who genuinely love what they do and are at peace with who they are and the world around them. Whether you are having a great day or have seen better ones, smile from the heart at all around you and have every faith and confidence that your hard work and great relationships and noble intentions will all eventually pay off.
