Six principles to ensure you make friends and influence colleagues at the office

Check regularly that you are still employable

If you were applying for your own job, would you still be employable? If not, why not?  Are there new skills you would be expected to have?  If so, get them now.

Be the person who comes up with new ideas – not the one who instantly identifies the difficulties involved

I believe that one of the reasons I have managed to stay in employment so long and in a recent restructure get promoted, is that I go to my boss with potential solutions to problems. He may not always agree with my approach, but it gives him something to tweak rather than starting from scratch.

Give new colleagues the benefit of the doubt

Can you give praise without sounding patronising, or let a colleague know you’re unhappy about some aspect of their behaviour without starting a vendetta? Can you say no without sounding negative – logically impossible but essential, particularly if you have a reputation for delivering on commitments.

Fight possessiveness and territoriality in yourself

You can’t afford to get too attached to anything. Flexibility and team-working are key.  Being a good team-player doesn’t mean shying away from conflict and confrontation.  Always saying yes does not add value to the decision-making process.  However, most teams do expect members to abide by an agreed code of practice and take a dim view of those who disregard the principle of collective responsibility.

Value diversity

Effective delegation skills are at a premium and decisions will be taken by junior colleagues. Just set clear guidelines in supervision.

Make it easy for colleagues to give you what you want

Make sure your colleagues know what you’re after, understand how your ambitions can support theirs and realise how well-equipped you are to meet challenges.

 

Yet another gem of an article I found written by Dr John Nicholson probably at least 10 years ago. I’ve tweaked it a bit, but it still resonates with me.