This article is aimed at young people who are starting their first job, but I am sure other people might find it useful.

I have enjoyed all the places I have worked and built good relationships/friendships with colleagues. Some of them, I am still in contact with, maybe once in a few months we catch up and find out about each others welfare.

Some Tips that should help in maintaining good relationships at work are:

Be Gracious – As we become familiar with the people we work with, it can become easy to take them for granted by leaving out civilities that make quality relationships. Some people arrive in the office and don’t even say “Good morning”.

Simple things e.g If you have a colleague nearby and you want to make a cup of tea – ask if they would like a drink too. (Most of these things, we do anyway).

Show Interest – This way you will see the other side of people and not just see them in their work roles. Everyone, has a different side. So, may be at a Coffee break you could ask someone about their hobbies. Nothing personal.

Take Criticism – Don’t be upset if people criticise your work. Instead, be positive about it and use it to improve the work you are doing. If you take it personally, it will result in you getting angry and this could lead to Tension. See it as contstructive criticism.

Be Flexible – If a colleague of yours needs help with their work and you have a light work-load, help them out. There might also be a time when you are in a similar situation and hopefully they will be glad to be of assistance to you too. At the end of the day, it is all about team effort anyway.

Don’t Gossip – In a lot of work places, people like to talk about other people and when they see the person they were gossiping about, they pretend to be all nice to them. Don’t get involved in gossip and don’t give out private information about your personal life as people could use it as a talking topic.

Be Thoughtful – This point is not necessary but it sure enhances good relationships. Example. Giving birthday cards or just sending a simple email to say “Happy Birthday” to a colleague when it is their birthday. Giving Christmas cards or even bringing back tasty edibles from your holiday vacation. It is a nice thing to do.

I always email a “thank you” message to anyone who has assisted me in a big way at work or if it’s someone in my team, before they go home – I would say “thanks for all your help today”. You may say to yourself “but they are doing their job”, I agree, however it’s nice to show appreciation and when next you need assistance, no matter how busy they are – they will gladly squeeze you in.

These are just some useful Tips to get you started. You will know more as you work. Having good working relationships with colleagues creates a healthy working environment and you will actually look forward to going to work in the morning because you enjoy it.

Also read: Your First Job - Being Effective