Teamwork Makes The Dream Work: Tips for Being a Good Coworker
Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." – Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
A corporate workplace is an ecosystem of its own. Each person contributes according to their specialty, hierarchy, and other objective measures, to further the goals of the company. However, as an individual, you are also contributing to the office culture through subjective efforts, including your demeanor, communication style, and attitude. How do we ensure that you are meeting interpersonal expectations (especially if these unspoken rules are not made clear)? Equally importantly, how do these rules affect the performance of your job and the impression made on your new coworkers? In this Article, we discuss the basics of unspoken office etiquette and why these unspoken rules are important to observe.
Communicate Clearly and Respectfully
Good communication is the heart of workplace relationships. Be mindful of how you express yourself in emails, meetings, and casual conversations. Practice active listening by giving coworkers your full attention and asking clarifying questions when needed. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and demonstrates professionalism, making it easier for others to collaborate with you.
Pro tip for virtual offices: Try to avoid cold calls, especially if your coworker’s status icon is red. Either send a quick message to ask if they have a few minutes to talk or schedule a meeting.
Try questions like:
When presented with a new concept or aspect of a project: “Can you explain that further?”
When you need another perspective or need to loop in additional teammates: “Who also supports that [team/initiative]?”
When you need an in-depth meeting: “Can I put 30 minutes on your calendar to discuss?”
When the person you are speaking to is not a subject matter expert: “Who should I go to with questions about that?”
If responding to email: “Thank you for the below clarification.”
Respectful communication also involves acknowledging different perspectives and being tactful when giving feedback. Avoid interrupting others, and strive to balance speaking up with leaving space for others to contribute. Over time, these habits will build trust and rapport with your team.
Respect Shared Spaces
In a corporate office, shared spaces like kitchens, break rooms, and conference areas are communal responsibilities. Clean up after yourself, avoid leaving personal belongings in common areas, and be mindful of noise levels, especially in open office environments. These small actions show consideration for your coworkers and help maintain a positive office atmosphere. For example, make sure you use headphones when taking calls or listening to music.
Additionally, be aware of shared resources like printers or office supplies. These items should only be used for official work purposes. Use only what you need and let an administrator know if supplies are running low. Respecting these spaces demonstrates your ability to work harmoniously in a team setting.
Honor Deadlines and Commitments
Being reliable is one of the first, and best, ways to demonstrate your professionalism. Delivering work on time and keeping promises to your teammates helps build your credibility. If unforeseen circumstances arise and you can’t meet a deadline, communicate proactively and offer solutions, such as adjusting timelines or seeking assistance. At the very least, let your coworkers know a status update and consider giving a reason for the delay (such as needing additional information or a new task from your manager superseding your coworker’s request). This proactive communication is just as valuable as the work itself.
By honoring your commitments, you contribute to the team’s success and establish yourself as a dependable coworker. This reputation can lead to greater trust and more opportunities for collaboration or leadership roles.
Practice Professional Etiquette
Office etiquette extends beyond basic manners; it’s about adapting to the unspoken rules of corporate life. For example, dress appropriately for your workplace’s culture and use professional language in your interactions. Be punctual for meetings and respectful of coworkers’ time by keeping discussions focused and concise. To get a sense of these unspoken rules, observe the behaviors and dress of a trusted colleague or your HR representative. There are also a number of online resources to explain professional etiquette, as well as seminars and classes to help you practice.
Additionally, avoid gossip or negative talk about others, as it can harm your relationships and reputation. Even if you think you are bonding with your coworkers by doing so, the gossip and negative talk says more about the gossiper than the subject. Instead, focus on fostering a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Show Appreciation for Others
Acknowledging your coworkers’ contributions—big or small—can go a long way in building strong professional relationships. A simple “thank you” or recognition of someone’s effort during a meeting (“Those slides looked great”) can create a positive impression and encourage collaboration, especially as a new coworker. Thoughtful gestures like these create a supportive team dynamic and reflect positively on your character. To identify work that deserves recognition, look for well-done tasks that made a project progress, a decision that included lots of feedback to consider, or a well crafted meeting agenda or summary. If your office uses Microsoft Teams, check out the Praise feature to give private kudos with a cute illustration.
Be consistent in your appreciation without overdoing it. Authenticity is key to ensuring your acknowledgment feels genuine rather than obligatory.
Adapt to Feedback
Feedback is an essential part of professional growth. Whether it’s constructive criticism or praise, listen carefully and reflect on how you can apply it to improve your performance. Avoid taking feedback personally, and instead view it as an opportunity to learn and grow within your role.
Responding positively to feedback shows maturity and a willingness to adapt. Over time, this mindset will help you build stronger skills, enhance your contributions, and earn the respect of your peers and supervisors.
Be Proactive About Helping Others
Offering assistance to colleagues when you have the capacity shows a team-oriented attitude. Whether it’s helping with a complicated project, sharing knowledge, or covering a colleague’s work during a busy period, this support demonstrates your commitment to collective success.
Being proactive also includes anticipating needs. For instance, if you notice recurring issues in a process, suggest improvements applicable to your expertise. Offer to be the one to take notes during a team meeting or to gather feedback from various stakeholders. This proactive mindset not only benefits the team but also highlights your problem-solving skills and leadership potential.
Set Healthy Boundaries
While being a good coworker involves collaboration and support, it’s also important to establish boundaries to maintain your well-being. Learn to say “no” respectfully when your plate is full, and communicate your availability clearly. Overextending yourself can lead to burnout and diminish your effectiveness at work. Remember, just because you have volunteered to help outside your role when you were less busy, does not mean you need to assume that responsibility every time.
Try:
“Thank you for thinking of me, but my plate is full right now.”
“I will be available at [time], but will be heads down until then.”
“I can advise [a specific portion] of this work, but may need to delegate the rest.”
Setting boundaries also involves respecting others’ limits, such as avoiding excessive emails after work hours in non-urgent situations. Balancing your own needs with those of your team fosters a healthy and sustainable work environment. If you are worried you will forget a reminder to a colleague, or want to inform your manager of an important update quickly, you can always type out the email or message and pre-schedule to send at the beginning of business hours the next day.
Editorial Note: ChatGPT assisted our editors in drafting this Article.
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