Building healthy relationships with co-workers is an important

part of having a successful career.

Co-workers spend ample amounts of time together, and

sometimes develop personal relationships on top of their

professional ones.

This can be good for businesses because it can help

companies create higher performance in the workplace.

In addition, very few companies have their employees work

100% independently

Cecilia Harry. “We rely on others to contribute support,

expertise, and other resources to best meet the needs of a

client, fulfill the mission of the agency, or create a profit,”

Because everyone has their role to play in a company, it is

important for everyone to get along – not just for the sake of

the work environment, but for the sake of the company and

its success, too.

But how do you build relationships with co-workers?

“When it comes to building relationships with your co-workers, be open and honest,” said Harry.

We must encourage people to be honest with their co-workers to get to know them better in order to work better as a team about › having a social relationship and

› communicate

“Some people see work as a place to show up, do what they are supposed to do, and go home,”

“Others see it as a place to spend half of their waking life and an opportunity to build social relationships.”

Sometimes being open and honest about building a relationship with co-worker won’t get you the response you are looking for.

However, don’t completely write-off someone who isn’t interested in building a relationship.

“Even if they don’t want to engage and build a friendly or social relationship, you may end up excluding them or devaluing them, and that ends up creating a negative relationship and possibly hurting the company,”

“Instead, be sure to keep them in the communication loop and still offer assistance and support to work-related tasks.”

Some people might now know an appropriate way to build a good relationship with a fellow employee.

“I encourage individuals to take a look at the company’s culture and use that as one of the factors to inform their decision regarding if and how to engage co-workers outside of regular work activities,” said Harry.

If you’re unsure about inviting a co-worker to grab some dinner after work, or go out for a cricket game over the weekend, why not start small and ask them out to cup of tea or even a Paan ?

You don’t have a whole lot to lose and if you have a good time it can become a regular thing and help you grow as co-workers.

For some, it can be a little awkward to get to know a complete stranger.

However, at one point most of the people who we consider close friends were strangers to us at one point.

This can provide some relief if you are feeling uneasy about befriending a co-worker you don’t know.

“Another way to make this a little easier is to focus on an interest you both have in common,”

“Perhaps you both like dogs, went to the same college, watch the same TV show, or have a grandchild . This common interest can be a good foundation for a positive relationship.”

Though it might be easier to build a relationship with a co-worker who holds the same working status as you, it doesn’t mean you can’t try to build a relationship with a co-worker who outranks you – or even one you outrank –in the company.

“Mentor relationships in the workplace benefit both parties,” said Harry, “and the company gains when more employees are engaged and supporting each other.”

Ranks in companies do change.

The person who was once in charge of you may not be if you’re someone who plans on growing within the company.

If the ranks between co-workers are reversed, having already established a positive relationship makes the transition run more smoothly