Tips On How to Be a Good Coworker(Repost)

Over a year ago, I was inspired by the excellence of my coworkers to write a piece about how to a good coworker. Over a year later and at the same job, I still strongly believe in those tips I dished out. Interesting, this was one of my early blog posts, one which I also shared in a September. Once again, here are “Tips to Being a Good Coworker”.

“1. Have a good attitude. I know we are instructed to leave our bad attitudes at the door when we first enter our job site, but not many people have the ability to let it go.(You’re singing the song from Frozen. I know you are.) I’m not saying that you can’t be angry, just keep it to yourself, or at least don’t take it out on your co-workers. If I’m ever in an unpleasant mood I will vent to myself, pray about it, and proceed with my work. I know I’d be hurt if somebody took their frustration out on me, so why would I dish it out to someone else who isn’t responsible for my present mood? Also, when you show your negative energy it spreads to everyone else like a plague. Nobody wants your sickness.

2. Lend a hand. Everybody needs help every now and then, so help a brother/sister out. If you see somebody struggling on a task such as lifting something heavy, assist them. Speaking from experience, those heavy boxes can be a strain on your back. The other night at my job, I had a heavy workload. I had dozens of food trays, pots and pants, and a party that needed to be cleaned up after. Had I done that all myself I might have been there until 1 am. Luckily, two co-workers who worked the night shift were there to clean up the function for me and assist my by putting up the plates; trays; and utensils. Last night, another co-worker stayed two hours past his shift to help me wash dishes because the dish machine was being worked on. He knew it would have been too much for one worker alone. Before your shift ends, try not to leave your co-worker with a heavy workload, unless your boss says otherwise.
3. Pull your weight.

It is good to know that your co-workers have your back, but don’t rely too heavily on them. Some days they won’t be there, they might be late, or they might be terminated. Unless your superiors say otherwise, take turns doing a task. Don’t do the same thing over and over, otherwise you won’t gain experience doing those other tasks you are required to do.

4. “Hello, how are you?” (I swear I’m not quoting Adele.) You never know who might have something weighing on their heart. A simple greeting is acknowledging one’s presence, and asking how one is doing shows that you care. I also greet because it properly starts off any interaction between others. Even in text messaging, are you not bothered when nobody starts off a conversation with a greeting? Going deeper, you don’t have to become best friends, but getting to know co-workers is also a good thing. Talking to them as you work can help those hours go by faster than you think.

5. Encourage & Motivate. Insted of jumping on a fellow co-worker when they don’t do a task correctly by mistake, simply tell them to do better. Don’t talk down on them like they’re a parasite. By doing this you will make them afraid to mess up again, causing them to think everything should be perfect. You can also tell them when they are doing a good job. Showing appreciation for one’s hard work and dedication gives that person the mentality to keep doing better.”

“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” -Henry Ford