I just started a new job and am struggling to connect with my coworkers. What are some ways I can strengthen my working relationship with them? - Comparably | Comparably

I just started a new job and am struggling to connect with my coworkers. What are some ways I can strengthen my working relationship with them?

Office Culture

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34 Answers

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    I would say to simply focus solely on doing your job the best way you can, to therefore increase the efficiency and efficacy of everyone in the workplace. Good flow, happy teammates!

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    Best to just keep your mouth shut, if you work hard & keep your mouth shut you will be attacked & threatened less and mostly ignored, so the working relationship will grow over time.

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    Be humble. Say yes, thanks, please. After this, say no if necessary.

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    Bring in pizza or cookies or cake for staff. Entices employees to learn your name and say hi.

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    Be social and interact with them. Make sure to communicate with them on a daily basis.

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    Stop worrying about it. They can tell and desperation reeks. Be yourself n genuine. Skip over fakes.

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    Find a purpose, work related, to approach a colleague to engage in communication and get an understanding of their role in the overal companybor organization. Little by little you will learn a bit more of those around you.

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    See where they eat lunch or take breaks, ask about them, and even mention something you like about that place. Then, listen to what they talk about, they will be a little guarded at first, but if you keep things pretty loose and be yourself, you can integrate yourself on a mutually beneficial level. I would honestly say the listening part is the most important, it is becoming a bit of a lost art.

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    Happy hours, Go on lunches with them. I have found that the best bonds I have made with co-workers are during non-standard work. If you work tech, refrain from wearing headphones and allow yourself to be approachable. If you are a junior seek feedback about your work. If you are a senior ask for feedback on projects you have lead.

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    Be friendly and approachable. Smile. Make sure you say “good morning.” Don’t butt in on other people’s conversations or get involved in trash talking other employees, don’t talk about politics or religion. Be helpful and flexible. You’ll get a reputation as a nice person. It may take time, but they will come around.

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    Just getting up to speed as quick as you can and helping as best you can.

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    Change your outlook first (no matter how much people talk to you or you try to talk to them, your outlook on them or the environment and the situation is going to hold you back from enjoying it or participating). After you've gotten more confidence and positive perspectives, just start talking to people that seem receptive. Obviously don't talk to the ones who don't seem like they're going to respond in that moment. Trust me, no need to be nervous, all people want to respond or chat at least one time (some people don't want it to be an ongoing thing, others do--that's where I'm getting at is you'll quickly find that one who wants to parler with you often enough to create your social life at work). Then it becomes natural and you start doing that with more people.

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    Try to be as positive as possible, even when circumstances seem to difficult or negative- finding something positive seems to help connect in little ways.

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    Finding common ground. Even if it means learning about something new.

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    Find out if there are any social activities they are involved in

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    Go out for drinks

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    Show an interest in them on a personal level. Be thoughtful. Show that you are a team player by having their back through difficult situations or heavy work loads.

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    Find something in common, even if it's trivial. You never know where a connection could be made.

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    Do something genuinely from your heart like bring a box of donuts or help in some way.

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    Lunch...... get some personal time

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    Star my with networking with a select. Develop deep enough networks with them. You will in turn get connects further down through them.

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    I understand the importance of maintaining balance between work and non-work, but for a while, I'd spend more time with work people by joining company-hosted events, such as Thirsty Thursday.

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    Take the time in the morning to ask at least one coworker how they are doing. If they give you personal details about their life, remember those and save that information for future conversations. When talking to coworkers, ask questions and avoid talking about yourself unless your coworkers ask you to. During lunch breaks, keep an eye out for groups of people going to lunch together and ask if you can come along. If there is a company birthday calendar, check in on that and go out of your way to wish your coworkers "Happy Birthday" when applicable.

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    Watch for their connection activities and join in, even if it’s not your thing. When they invite you for coffee and you’ve already hit your caffeine limit, go along for the walk, or order herbal tea.

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    Introduce yourself. Find common threads in your backgrounds. Take interest in others more than focusing on your inability to connect. Relationships involve giving. Show others you are seeking to connect with them through kind actions & gestures.

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    Try to find something in common in with them or simply join a conversation that multiple people are having.

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    go to lunch with them or hang out after work

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    Be friendly , polite and good attitude. Smile and be nice with them. Be positive and be happy.

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    Prove you’re actually worth their time and are a professional - work isn’t social networking time, professionals respect and connect with people who prove they can actually accomplish goals at work

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    Show yourself as a reliable coworker and show a sense of humor during the “downtimes”

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    Choose one person to ask some questions to get to know them. Then invite them to lunch.

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    Smile, be friendly, and look for common interests.

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    cliche' - find common ground with NON work related items/events/activities

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    Even the most extroverted, amicable person may struggle to adapt to a new work environment. Having basic knowledge of social psychology and group psychology would be advantageous to such situations.