Being Considerate at Work

Getting along with your colleagues and supervisors is one thing, but have you ever thought about how truly considerate you are at work? It makes a difference!

Being a considerate employee and coworker should be a given in the workplace. It fosters a positive work environment, which results in boosted morale and better results too. In his article, Travis Bradberry highlights some key ways to be more considerate and also outlines the positive effects it has. It may sound simple to be a considerate colleague, but here are some pointers:

• Show up on time: This is a big one. One of the biggest indicators to an employer of whether or not an employee (or potential employee) cares about the job, is if they are on time. This is square one of making a good impression, and is critically important. When you’re at work, your timing affects everyone (especially your boss and coworkers) so if you aren’t on time, it suggests that you aren’t considerate of others. Logistically, it can throw your team’s whole day off.
• Apologize when you need to: Everyone has humbling moments at work, and we can all admit that they aren’t usually pleasant. It’s tough to be wrong or mess something up, but it’s forgivable if you take responsibility and apologize. By saying you’re sorry, it shows those involved that you realize the gravity of the situation and that it affects everyone. It’s step one to regrouping and solving the problem, so be sure not to skip this step.
• Have emotional intelligence: What this boils down to is realizing that even though you may feel one way, it doesn’t mean you should act upon it. We all have bad days, but remember that getting visibly upset rarely improves the situation and can make your team uncomfortable. Remember to keep things in perspective. Conversely, being emotionally intelligent helps you read your colleagues as well. Know when to take a step back before confronting a team member if they’ve just had a difficult situation, or when to step in and lend a helping hand.

It may seem like a no-brainer, but being considerate is a key part of being in the workplace. Take these tips in stride, as well as the rest that Bradberry suggests, and always remember to be nice!

Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.