Robert Half International
"The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people." -- Theodore Roosevelt
Looking
for ways to win over the boss? Here's an easy one: Play well with
others. In a recent survey by Robert Half International, managers said
they waste, on average, 18 percent of their time trying to resolve staff personality conflicts. That's more than seven hours a week, or nine weeks per year.
So,
it's safe to say the boss wouldn't mind dealing with less discord.
Beyond making your manager's life a little easier, honing your
collaboration skills -- and deftly dealing with conflict when it does
arise -- will aid you throughout your career.
Consider these tips.
1. Don't assume the worst
Did
a co-worker fail to get you a file on time with the specific intention
of ruining your day? It's possible but not probable. It's much more
likely poor planning, miscommunication or an overloaded schedule caused
the person to miss the deadline.
Start with the assumption that
it's not personal. Giving the other person the benefit of the doubt will
help you address the matter in neutral and objective terms, rather than
letting emotions dictate how the discussion goes.
2. Put yourself in the other person's shoes
Paying
attention to your colleagues' work styles can help you collaborate with
them more effectively. But in addition to learning about their
communication preferences and pet peeves, try to get a sense of the
competing priorities and pressures they face. Just as others would
probably cut you some slack if they knew the full range of
responsibilities on your plate, you'll likely be more empathetic and
tolerant when you better understand their roles.
3. Start (and stay) on the same page
Simple
misunderstandings are often the source of significant tension. There
are few statements more maddening to hear toward the end of a project
than, "Wait, I thought you were doing that."
Arrange a meeting at
the outset of a group assignment to clarify who is responsible for what.
Immediately afterward, follow up with an email recapping what was
discussed. Continuing to check in periodically will also help you avoid
last-minute scrambling and finger-pointing.
4. Accept people for who they are
Focusing
on people's perceived shortcomings is a recipe for frustration and
friction. If you're a perfectionist, you can easily find yourself
annoyed by a less detail-oriented co-worker. He may not cross every "t,"
but keep in mind that he brings other valuable skills to the table. For
instance, he might be adept at generating big-picture ideas and selling
them to management. When you work together, strive to make the
collaboration more about complementing your respective strengths and
less about your differences.
5. Criticize with care
There's
nothing wrong with respectful disagreements. In fact, going along with a
bad idea just to keep the peace is in itself a bad idea. But always
make sure your criticism is constructive.
Watch both what you say
and how you say it. A perfectly logical opposing viewpoint will lose its
impact and fuel resentment if it's delivered in the wrong way.
Tactfully saying, "We might want to consider another approach for the
following reasons ..." will be met with less resistance than a brusque
barb about how "that plan will never work."
6. Nip problems in the bud
When
you lock horns with someone, take steps to resolve the situation
quickly. Molehills can grow into mountains if you falsely assume things
will blow over or wait for the other person to make the first move.
Once
you've cooled down, request a brief meeting to clear the air. Keep your
comments professional and solution-oriented. If being forgiving or
apologetic will repair the rift, take the high road and move on. You
don't have to be best friends; you just need to be able to work together
in the future.
Finally, it would be naïve to think you'll
interact smoothly with every fellow employee. Difficult, rude and
uncompromising people exist in every workplace. And despite your best
efforts to work together harmoniously, problems may persist with a
particular colleague. In these situations, you may have no choice but to
reach out to your supervisor for advice or assistance.
That being
said, there are many co-worker quarrels that can be avoided or easily
deflated without managerial intervention. Don't underestimate the power
of flexibility, diplomacy and empathy.