How to engage with your colleagues

It is all well and good staying behind at work most days, being the person who always goes the extra mile and the one who makes the most effort in getting to know their colleagues, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re on the road to success by doing these things. If you want to get ahead in your career, and quick, give these tricks a go around your colleagues.

1. Eye contact
You probably know that it is good to maintain eye contact with colleagues, but by doing so in every conversation for the whole duration is actually kind of creepy. If you want people to like you, try keeping eye contact with them for 60% of a conversation. Also, when you’re out with your colleagues, look out for who is making eye contact with whom. This means that they trust each other and are bonding, so try doing the same with the people you’re eager to impress.

2. Approaching people
When approaching people, act how you would like them to act. For example, appear excited and upbeat. When you show these traits around others, they will naturally mirror you and act similarly. People are much more likely to enjoy your company if you act positively and encourage them to do so too.

3. It is all in the feet
When you’re talking to someone, keep an eye on their feet. If they are interested in what you have to say, they will point their feet towards you and therefore, they probably like you. However, if their feet are pointed away from you, they are uninterested and you should stop wasting your time on them.

4. Say their name
There is no need to say their name every other word, but chances are, someone is much more likely to become a fan of yours if you say their name occasionally during conversations. When asking a question, say their name. By doing so, you appear much more direct and interested in them and they will trust you more.

5. Add details to stories
When sharing a story with your colleagues, don’t just say the basics. Without going on for hours, explain the details of the story and if there are any funny or embarrassing details, the better. By doing so, they will be able to see the story you are telling and they become part of it. By including them in these moments of your life, they will like being around you.

6. Get nodding
If you want someone to agree with you, nod whilst explaining a situation. If you nod, they are likely to nod along and find themselves agreeing with you. When you nod your head whilst you talk, people are more inclined to think you’re right, helping you get ahead.

 

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