Starting a new role can feel daunting. You might not know anyone, and there’s always a settling-in period as you adjust to your responsibilities. While it’s not essential to become best friends with all your colleagues, building good relationships in the workplace is crucial. Positive workplace relationships can help you succeed in your role, maintain a strong company culture, and increase overall productivity. Here are some practical tips for building good relationships at work.

Fit into the Workplace Culture

When starting a new job, it’s important to observe and adapt to the existing company culture. For example, if you join a laid-back company where casual banter is common, trying to impose a formal culture can create tension. While workplace improvements are possible, your initial focus should be on fitting into the culture rather than changing it—unless your role specifically involves organisational change.

Build Trust and Reliability

Being reliable and trustworthy is key to forming strong workplace relationships. Attend work consistently, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments. Colleagues value dependable team members, and trust forms the foundation of professional relationships.

Be Personable and Engaging

Work conversations don’t always have to revolve around tasks and deadlines. Sharing light topics, like hobbies, TV shows, or other interests, can help you connect with colleagues. Avoid potentially divisive topics like politics, religion, or sports rivalries until you get to know your coworkers better. Don’t engage in office politics. Being personable helps foster rapport and a positive work environment.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

A friendly and positive attitude goes a long way in building good workplace relationships. Everyone has challenging days, but consistently displaying optimism and professionalism will make you approachable and well-liked by your team.

Offer Support to Colleagues

Simple acts of support can make a big difference. Offering to help with tasks, taking extra calls during busy periods, or staying a little later when deadlines loom demonstrates teamwork. Supporting colleagues not only helps the business but also strengthens your professional relationships.

At Inspired CVs, we provide professional HR support to help you thrive in your role. Whether you need advice on workplace relationships or assistance with HR tasks, our team is here to help. We also offer professional CV writing services, including traditional and graphic CVs tailored to your career goals. Contact us today to learn more or order your CV online.