Health & Balance

Work it Out: Getting Along with Co-Workers

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1. Count to 10. Never react to your co-worker's most recent offense. Always move forward with a cool head. Go home, sleep on it, and plan what you'll say and to whom.

2. Point the finger at yourself. Use "I" statements. Co-workers will be more open to dialogue when you're asking for help rather than attacking or blaming. Consider "I think I may have gotten off on the wrong foot. Is there anything I can be doing differently?" versus "Why are you shooting down all my ideas?"

3. Keep it professional, not personal. This cuts the chances of a defensive response. Try "Here's what I think my job is, and here's how I'm pursuing it. Is that what you and others expected of me?" rather than "No one is listening to me."

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