The workplace can be a jungle at times. When you bring together a group of people who have different personalities, different values ​​and beliefs, and different ways of working, it can be a recipe for disaster. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but many workers aren’t productive or team players.

There are workers who are not really sure of their role because they did not receive the right incorporation or were too afraid to ask for help; workers who do not have the skills or knowledge of the job, as they may have fallen into the role or given the ‘correct’ answers in the interview; workers who resent others who have more recognition or (perceived) success than they do. The list can go on and on.

But fitting in and getting along with your co-workers is a critical component to job satisfaction. It is also a factor in performance and engagement. You may love the work you do, but if the environment isn’t conducive, the opposite will happen: dissatisfaction, anxiety, and lack of commitment. But all hope is not lost as there are ways you can create enthusiastic fans and not adversaries with your co-workers.

Taking responsibility for your actions is the first step, which means that you are aware of your actions and behaviors throughout your workday. It is also a check and balance of how you can be in front of others, as we often wear a veil of denial over our own behaviors. What we think is not always how others perceive it.

Here are some success tips to be a good worker:

• Be a team player: Recognize that your job influences the tasks and roles of all other co-workers, so keep the big picture in mind. As the saying goes, “there is no me in the team”, so start thinking about how your actions and performance affect your co-workers and the organization itself; this will give you a purpose so that your work motivates you to give more.
• Be a resource: Offer to help your co-workers, which can be done by giving an idea or a different perspective, sharing some knowledge, or helping with a task. This brings us back to being a team player; your co-workers will see you as someone who creates harmonious relationships and a higher functioning group
• Build Bonds – Since relationships are everything, get to know your co-workers. People want to know that you care about them: their son being on the soccer team, the cookie recipe they brought, your ideas/opinions/values, etc. This forges deeper bonds and people accept you more, especially if a conflict arises.
• compliment and recognize – don’t be stingy when it comes to acknowledging the achievements of your peers, or to give them a thank you or a compliment. Do it for the little things, not just the big ones, as this makes it more memorable for them and builds trust and acceptance.
• communicate well: ensure your messages are fully heard by thinking ahead about what and how you will deliver your message and reflecting on what you have heard. Tell people the benefit of what you’re asking and then really listen, without thinking about their answer, their idea/opinion, etc. Resolve any conflict in a mutually negotiating manner, building up any defensiveness you may feel.
• whistle while you work – make sure you have a good attitude every day; stop complaining – yours, theirs. People want to be around other people who are positive and attractive, so think every morning that you will love your work – you will be fashionable and you will be able to bring followers with you.

By following these steps, you’ll also achieve better relationships with your boss, co-workers, and customers. You can survive the ‘jungle’ by standing out and being a positive force.