by Abu Hafsah | Sep 13, 2021 | Personal Growth
There are two types of workers in a workplace, the boss and their subordinates. Whichever one you are, do you wish to know how to get people to like you at work? Of course, I know yes.
Your workplace is where you spend a better part of your day at. Since that’s the case, you would want to make a good or habitable place for yourself so that you could be happy. You can be happy only when you’re being liked by your co-workers, subordinates, or heads.
To be more likeable in your workplace, you need to know and have some attributes that will make it very difficult for your boss, co-workers, or your subordinates not to like you. Let’s go through them one after the other.
11 Ways to Be More Likeable at Work
1. Be Yourself
One of the ways to get people to like you at work is by being yourself and nobody else. You being the boss or a subordinate, never try to be who you are not in all ways. As the boss, your co-workers will see you as irresponsible and as a subordinate, your co-workers and boss will see you as fake and will tend not to like you, even those with your kind of attitude! You wouldn’t want that, would you?
Let them like you for who you are. You don’t have to be fake about yourself. Be real!
2. Be Consistent
You are said to be consistent if you tend to always behave in the same way, have the same attitudes towards people and things, or achieve the same or higher level of success in things you do.
Whatever you do (as the boss or subordinate), ensure that nothing stops you from being consistent at your work. Everyone loves people who are consistent in doing something as long as it is positive, except for a crazy few. Your co-workers will like you, your boss will like you, and the entire management will like you. Some of your co-workers could take you as their mentor and always be looking up to you in everything related to the work that they do.
3. Avoid Distractions
When thinking of how to get people to like you at work, stay or put away anything or anyone that may tend to distract you from discharging your duties effectively. Mobile phones are the number one way of distracting people from working. Therefore, keep your phones most of the time away from you, make and answer only phone calls that are important or related to your work.
If there happens to be this cute guy or beautiful lady co-worker you’ve been eyeing or attracted to, you need to try and focus less on them. You could change the position of your desk if it happens to be positioned facing theirs. Your head should always be on what you are doing if they happen to be passing by you, or when they do that regularly.
Just find a positive way. Your boss and co-workers will see you as professional.
4. Be Professional
Being professional at work means you being reliable, setting your high standards, and indicating or showing that you care very much about your job and how you relate with your boss or co-workers. It also involves you being organized, industrious, and holding yourself accountable for any mistake committed by you as a result of your actions, words, or thoughts.
Always have the interest of your job at heart. Anything related to the job should be given top priority. Refrain from calling people by their nicknames, but rather, their names. They will like you.
5. To Get People to Like You at Work, Be Friendly
Being friendly to your co-workers or subordinates is one of the ‘hows’ to get people to like you at work. Make yourself approachable for them whenever they need your help, assistance, or advice on something related to work, or even outside of it. Let everyone be your friend and be sure to have different comfort zones for each co-worker or subordinate depending on their attitudes. This is will earn you respect and likes by if not all, the majority of your co-workers and heads in the organization or workplace.
However, do not be too friendly that your co-workers will see you as unserious, after all, too much of everything is bad. And as the boss, do not be too bossy, be something in between hard and soft.
6. Be Diligent with Work
You should endeavour to have or show care and conscientiousness in your work or duties. This isn’t common in workplaces in Nigeria, most especially government-owned. You don’t need to be like everyone, always be different in a positive way. Do things the right way regardless of how pressured you are to do them.
This will make others, who aren’t like you, want to be like you, and others like you, like you more.
7. Mind Your Business
Justice means minding one’s own business and not meddling with other men’s concerns.
Plato
How to get people to like you at work? Focus only on works assigned to you and do not go beyond your area of jurisdiction. Do not interfere or meddle in other peoples’ affairs, except when invited. In that case, you should do the needful.
Looking for one of the ways to get people to like you at work? This is.
8. How to Get People to Like You at Work? Be Punctual
One of the ways to get people to like you at work is by being punctual in everything that you do. Most Nigerians are known to be not punctual in almost every aspect of their lives. If they have the chance, they come to work way after the reporting time and leave before the closing time. You for one shouldn’t do that.
Endeavour to always arrive at the right time, and close at the stipulated time. There may be some that will tag you as ‘over sabi’, don’t be discouraged, they want to be like you deep within them, but have not the balls to be so. This will make people at your work envy, like, and want to be like you.
9. Be Honest and Truthful
You are said to be truthful if you are reliable, taken seriously, respected, honoured, and endowed with a reputation. In this context, honesty and truthfulness are synonymous.
Always say the truth and nothing but the truth. Do not be deceptive to your boss or co-workers. Say, something got spoilt and your boss asks who was behind it, say you are if you were. Perhaps, the boss may get angry and react unbearably, but then, they will love your spirit of truthfulness. Now, whenever anything or a role comes up and is required to be handled or headed by a truthful person, you may be number one on their list.
Being truthful should be an outfit that everyone should wear within and outside of the workplace.
10. Be Caring
Be someone that shows kindness or concern about your colleagues. Don’t be indifferent. Congratulate your co-workers when they are promoted, advise them when they make mistakes, speak kindly to them in general and when they are been scolded by their superiors, show concern when an unpleasant thing happens to them at work or outside of work, and all that. Always make compliments where necessary.
When you are caring, you do not need to bother on how to get people to like you at work because they will. No doubt about it.
11. Avoid Unpleasant Competition
Competition is something one can hardly avoid at workplaces when you find yourself in a situation in a competitive workplace, like the banking job or you being a sales representative.
Some are pleasant while others aren’t. It is said to be pleasant when the parties competing have no grudges against each other whatsoever to attain a position, while it is said to be unpleasant when the reverse is the case. Avoid being in an unpleasant competition with your co-workers. Don’t mind them when they have grudges on you, just do your thing. If you succeed, fine, if you don’t, also fine.
When your boss or co-worker sees you like that, the respect they have for you will skyrocket
Conclusion
People like to be loved by everyone, except for a few abnormal ones who don’t. The above-mentioned points will go a long way in helping you get loved by everyone or the majority in your workplace.
Are you still worrying about how to get people to like you at work? I guess not anymore.
Tell me what you think about this write-up in the comments section and tell me if I missed out on any important point. Thank you.
Related: 11 Things You Should Do in an Interview (and 7 You Should Avoid).
by Abdulganiyu Ibrahim | Sep 8, 2021 | Personal Growth
Wow, You’ve actually got the call and you’ve been invited for the job interview? That’s great news. But hope you won’t mind if I get you acquainted with the interview do’s and don’ts. Nice decision then. It will be of great interest to share with you some interview do’s and don’ts which can land you the job you have hoped for.
The Do’s of an Interview
1. Do Research About the Company
The more you know about the company or the employer before the interview, the better for you. This is because extensive research will surely widen your knowledge as regards the company or the employer.
However, this will surely help you in providing answers to the questions dished from the interviewer.
2. Do Turn Off Your Phone
To avoid distraction from your phone while the interview section is on, it is advised to have your phone switched off.
3. Do Introduce Yourself
Among the things you should consider in doing in an interview is to let the interviewers know who you are by introducing yourself, and other information which you think is of relevance for them to know.
4. Smile, Be Friendly, and Maintain Eye Contact
Be friendly to anyone you’re in contact with from the moment you walk in the door to the moment you leave. Smiling will create a warm and positive impression of you. However, maintaining eye contact will demonstrate your self-confidence, focus, and respect for others.
5. Maintain a Proper Sitting Posture
Do sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor, hands on your lap or chair, and your back against the chair. This open posture will show that you are interested and engaged.
6. Do Take Your Time When Answering A Question
it’s vital you are aware of the interviewer’s body language to identify if your answers are going on too long. Are they looking at their watch or the clock to check the time?
Depending on the question, a one or two-minute response is typically appropriate, but assuming the interviewer knows nothing about you or the answers to the question, you can provide enough detail to answer the questions completely.
7. Be Positive During Your Interview
They are looking for a candidate that displays positivity. A person who will fit well within their team. However, make sure to use positive and constructive language when discussing conflicts or difficult situations.
8. Do Dress Properly
This can be achieved by wearing professional or business casual attire, choose a solid colour and subtle patterns and make sure that your clothes are clean, ironed, and not wrinkled. Ensure you are well groomed by having clean and neat hair. This is because your professional image and visual presentation weigh heavily on the employer’s impression of you.
As a rule of thumb, focus on dressing one step above what they would wear to the workplace you applying to. This may involve researching the company before or asking the person who has called to schedule what the dress code is.
A good first impression can spark the interviewer’s interest in you. Follow those tips to make a confident and professional first impression.
Furthermore, don’t wear any clothing that is too tight, revealing, or uncomfortable. You should however avoid noisy or distracting jewellery or patterns, heavy watches, and loud makeup. Be aware of scent-free policies.
The Don’ts of an Interview
1. Don’t Appear Unprepared
Don’t present yourself before the interviewer without knowing anything about the company or the employer, as that will make you look unserious when you start to fumble on questions you are expected to answer correctly but show no knowledge about.
2. Don’t Show up Late for the Interview
Showing up late to an interview tells the interviewer you’re unorganized and could ruin the chances of landing the job. So if you truly know you will be running late, call at least a few hours to the time of the interview to apologize for your unavailability, stating the genuine reason for that.
This will give them the opportunity to reschedule if it is more convenient.
11. Don’t High Five Your Interviewer
One of the don’ts in an interview is to never extend your greetings to your interviewers in form of a high five or any other form of greetings that might seem improper. You should rather greet either by extending your hand for a not too weak or strong handshake or by a blossom ‘good morning ‘ or the likes.
You should learn how to properly shake hands too.
12. Don’t Slouch or Cross Your Arms
It’s wrong to angle yourself away from the interviewer. Poor posture or close body language might make you seem disinterested or defensive.
13. Avoid Fidgeting
This could be achieved by holding your hands on your knees to be more aware of your leg movements or hold your hands together.
You can as well remove any objects from your vision that you might be tempted to play with.
14. Make Use of the 7c’s of Communicating During an Interview
Speak clearly and articulate your words. The 7 C’s of communication will help you with that. Show enthusiasm in your tone of voice and maintain an appropriate volume for the size of the room and the number of people you’re meeting with. Mock interviews and practising out loud can help you improve your speech.
In addition, Be mindful of the pace, clarity, tone, and volume of your speech. Don’t shout, whisper, speak super quickly, or be monotonous. Don’t give answers that are too short or very long. Also, don’t be rude or withdrawn.
Whether you are talking to the interviewer or the people at the reception, be well mannered as you relate.
15. Keep Your Emotions Under Control
Don’t get angry or blame others when talking about previous jobs. Past situations may be emotionally charged, therefore avoid blaming or negative language when discussing previous employers, colleagues, or work environments.
Don’t know how to check your emotions? You can learn to recognize and control them.
16. Don’t Tell Stories That Have Nothing to do With the Job
Do keep your answers straight and relevant. Stay on point and keep the content of your answers relevant to the requirements of the job.
Conclusion
Remember, first impression matters. If you stick to the above interview do’s and don’ts, certainly you would make a good impression at your interview. So go ahead and make a good impression in your interview by abiding by following the interview do’s and don’ts. Don’t forget to share your comments on how the interview went.
Remember to share this article with your friends, and you might also like to check out how you can nail down a job interview in 5 minutes
by Abdulganiyu Ibrahim | Jun 11, 2021 | Personal Growth
Work can be stressful, but that doesn’t mean happiness can’t be achieved.
Zach Holmquist
I was always glued to this statement made whenever I was off to where I worked as a fashion stylist in a fashion house before my admission into the university. Though the work required much time and attention so as to meet up the deadline, but because I was so compassionate about it, I always try to create an environment of happiness for myself.
With that, I would know I am not robbed of two benefits, which are fat income and happiness. So, therefore, I took some measures which I will be sharing with you today, that have really helped keep me in staying happy at work.
Before I start with my happiness tips, I will like you to know what it means to be happy
To be happy means allowing yourself not to be unhappy. Being happy also means showing or causing feelings of pleasure and enjoyment, which literally means that you are totally far from being hapless.
Helpful Tips That Will Help You Stay Happy and Motivated at Work
1. Learn Self Compensation
This is mostly what I do when I started to feel less motivated on the work at hand. By trying to bribe me with the posit that “if I am able to finish this work effectively and efficiently from this time to this time”, then I would be compensated with a menu. So with this, it kept me happy throughout the work because I know something is waiting for me as a reward.
You don’t have to wait for compensation from anyone to motivate and make you happy at your workplace, if you know you meet up with your expectation and that of your employer on the job given, then it will be nice to give yourself some incentive. Doing so, will not only make you happy but also boost your productivity because you have tasks yourself and you know there is something as a reward. In short, promise yourself some reward after work.
This will help in keeping you happy for the rest of the day.
2. Learn How to Work Out
Early morning exercise at least 30 minutes makes the body energetic, active and fulfilled at work. Because it has been concluded by health practitioners that it helps release the toxins which always leads to weariness and tiredness.
Thus, engaging in early-day exercises like jogging, press up, walking, rope skipping, swimming, and the likes will make you satisfied that your body is all set to combat the work ahead. And therefore, it will leave this sign of happiness on your face even before you get to your place of work.
3. Smile More Often
When you smile, it leads to the release of dopamine to the brain which gives happiness a chance. A smile does not only have a positive effect on your body but also has more to do in-term of your productivity because a customer who knows you to be the smiling type will never trade that smile with your competitor that has a frown or glower face on.
Always have a reason to wear a smile, whether fake or original. Unless if not smiling, makes you happy.
4. keep the Pictures of Your Loved Ones on Your Table
One of the ways to remain happy and excited at work is having the portrait of your loved ones; mostly the one there is a chemistry between you both on your desk. This particular picture will stand in place of her at work. And because you won’t want to disappoint her, you will try as much as possible to work not only effectively, but with a sense of happiness in you.
But maybe there is no room for a portrait on the desk, try to picture her in your head. This will go a long way. Because, when you see your love you’ll feel happy and excited. Same as when you think about them, your brain will react the same way.
5. Listen to Your Best Music
This reminds me of when the day is getting boring at my place of work and will want to slow down my pace, What I usually do is turn on my music. And before I know, the vibe is back. Though at first, I didn’t know how that works for me, until when I went on a visit to my uncle’s office who is a therapist. Coincidently, he was speaking about music as a tool for getting rid of your sad and boring moments.
However, It was there I was made to know that music helps in the release of dopamine to the brain also as does smile which therefore makes you happy.
6. Give Yourself Enough Rest
Be sure to get enough sleep, at least 8 hours on a stretch. This will help in relieving you from weariness, tiredness and help recharge the body’s batteries. So, therefore, making you well recharged and happy the following day.
According to the American Psychological Association, Americans who get more sleep on average tend to be healthier, happier and safer. A lot of people work throughout the day and night. But it will be an advantage for you to know that there is happiness and relief in that sleep you did not count as anything.
Conclusion
A company with happy employees could increase their sales by 37%, productivity by 31%, which directly contribute toward building a high-performance work environment and improves the quality of life for all people involved with the work.
Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage
In conclusion, happiness altogether is a highly subjective experience. But I will live you with the above quote to ponder. Do tell me what you think in the comments box. If you enjoyed this, you should check out these hacks that will make you very likeable at work.
by Abdulganiyu Ibrahim | Jun 4, 2021 | Personal Growth
The adage which states “health is wealth” is actually true to a great extent. It is very unfortunate that the very thing that can make us profitable, and successful employees for our company can also harm our health—maybe even permanently. This is obvious in the sense that when you work almost every minute of your life, caring less about your health, it will one day lead to body breakdown. And therefore making it impossible to be productive since the health is in a bad state.
6 Things You Can do Regularly to Ensure You Stay Healthy at Work
1. Get Enough Bed Rest
It is medically advised to have eight hours of sleep at a stretch during the night. Doing so will help the body to regain the energy it has lost during the day.
If a person gets more sleep, then they are more focused and better at performing tasks.
Carter
Therefore, they get more done and can feel better about their work. While without adequate sleep, employees have more difficulty concentrating, learning, and communicating. Memory lapses increase. Problem-solving abilities decline. Which will surely affect the work.
2. Engage in Daily Exercises
Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to work effectively at your place of work.
You should be clocking up at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week.
It may sound like a lot, but even 10 minutes at a time makes a big difference. By doing activities that make you feel warmer, breathe harder and make your heart beat faster, you can reap the benefits.
You don’t necessarily need to register in the gym before you can engage in physical activity. There are numerous exercises you can actually go for irrespective of whether you are at home or at work which will go a long way in keeping you fit at work. Among which is movement as suggested by Matt Liggins, a health and wellbeing manager at health at work.
Also, Try walking meetings or going to speak to someone instead of emailing. Use the toilets in a different part of the building and use the stairs instead of the lift, even for one floor of your journey.
Implement simple changes such as standing up when you’re on the phone or walking around checking emails on your phone instead of your computer.
3. Take Frequent Breaks
Taking a break improves focus and concentration and provides the opportunity for an employee’s mental reset. After a break, work can resume with more energy and motivation. Working without taking one or more breaks only leads to mental and physical fatigue. Hence taking a break helps in a breakthrough.
But the funny thing is, we always want to finish our work so we can get out of the office on time. However, this does not mean that you should sit without going for a break. Taking a break is actually productive rather than a time-wasting tool you think of it.
Furthermore, Breaks at work help keep you focused on your goals and tasks at hand, which keeps productivity up. They can also help to increase motivation and creativity.
4. Eat the Right Food will Help You Stay Fit at Work
Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet is essential for good health and can help maintain healthy body weight and improve positive well-being. It can also help reduce the risk of certain diseases and illnesses such as coronary heart disease, obesity, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
You can therefore improve your productivity at work through healthy eating.
5. Maintain A Good Posture
Poor posture can negatively affect energy levels, resulting in fatigue. Practising good body alignment may help you remain focused and energized at work. Practice these posture exercises that will help you have a good posture.
Whether you’re delivering packages or caring for patients, correct posture can allow you to power through the day more easily.
6. Stay Motivated
If a worker is motivated, they are more likely to do a good job and work hard. Motivation is very important for attracting employees, retaining employees, and general levels of productivity in a business.
Motivated employees are more likely to be willing to work, rather than staying off.
Conclusion
Moreso, we can actually motivate ourselves by means of our self-confidence and challenge ourselves to stretch beyond our perceived limits. Is staying fit at work important to you? How do you ensure you stay on top of your fitness? Tell us in the comments below!
by Abdulganiyu Ibrahim | May 25, 2021 | Personal Growth
Did you know that scores of the world’s top executives wake up very early? It is not because they can’t sleep the whole night and day but they know waking up early has many benefits. They believe that the earlier you wake, the more time you have in the day, which also helps in planning yourself for that day effectively.
Furthermore, it is also advantageous to wake up early because you will feel less stressed and feel this burst of glee that you are in control over your life and everything is in order.
Though most people find it difficult to wake up early because their body is already used to waking up late irrespective of what time they sleep. But mind you, waking up early doesn’t have to be a one-day transformation, it requires a gradual process.
A typical example of that is like a person who is visiting the gym for the first time and wanted to go for a heavyweight for start, maybe probably a 50kg bench press. More so, if the person is able to press one up, he won’t certainly be lucky to go for the second. Why? because his body is new to the new development and needs a gradual familiarization to be able to adapt to it. Maybe you start with 5, then to 10, and later 15, etc, till you reach 50kg. The same method was applied to waking up early. You just introduce the new development to your body.
Maybe you are a type that wakes up at 7: 30 Am every morning, you can adjust more effectively if you ease into it, and tackle it in bite-sized chunks. I recommend you start by trying 10min interval, I.e you try and adjust to 7: 20, then if your body is getting used to waking up at that time, then you keep adjusting till u finally succeed in making it down to 5: 00 Am.
How Does Waking Up Early Change Your Life?
Early risers are onto something. From lowering stress levels to helping one to be in control of the day. Waking at the crack of the dawn has many advantages which can change one’s life.
1. It Boosts Your Productivity
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Benjamin Franklin
Your productivity is greatly influenced by your daily routine, and the latter is determined effectively by what time you wake up, and thus one of the benefits of waking up early.
This reminds me of when I got a freelancing job on a particular blog site, whereby a topic was always assigned to me in the middle of the night and to be submitted same time the following day. Good and fine. It was going on well since I have nothing else to do for the day than to wake, say few prayers, take my bath, scarf down some food and be ready to tackle the assignment given by the blog site. But the story changed when a brother of mine who owns fashion apparel called on to me to join him in the business because of the workload and agreed to pay me well if I can actually help.
Well, who doesn’t want to earn more money in addition to the one he is making? I took the job and always resume at exactly 9:00 am and close at 5: 00 pm in the evening as regarding our agreement.
With the coming of this new job, I had to strike a balance so as not to be a barrier for the other. In view of this, I woke early at 5 am in the morning to finish up with the freelancing job before setting out to the fashion house. The two jobs were actually a burst of glee to my bank account at the end of the month.
2. Waking Up Early Changes Your Life Medically
It has been medically proven that waking up early enables you to reap the benefits of good health which prompt an energetic and healthy you.
It will also give you the time to perform a bit of physical exercise and to meditate which will eventually help in getting you a sense of order in life, making you feel happier.
3. You Get Quality Sleep
This gives room to have that better sleep quality. With this, your body tends to be relaxed before the crack of dawn. And mind you, when you retire to your bed early for instance 9: 00 pm, and wake up around 5:00 am, the quality of the sleep you will have can never be compared with when you sleep at around 12: 00 and wake up around 5 am.
While you will be having 8 hours sleep in the former, you will be having 6 hours in the latter.
4. One of The Benefits of Waking Up Early Is You Get Higher Academic Scores
When the University of Texas in the United States of America conducted research on the categories of students who scored better grades, it was concluded that those who rise early fall in that category.
The brain tends to assimilate so well early in the morning when reading than any other time both in the day and at night. The reason is that the brain is not under any form of pressure, it has already been relaxed. So, therefore, it will be easy to understand and assimilate whatever you read at that time which will definitely reflect in your scores.
5. Rising Early Has An Effect on Your Hormones
Waking up early as can affect two of your body’s natural hormones which are cortisol and melatonin.
Cortisol
Also known as hydrocortisone, this is produced by the adrenal cortex upon that mediates various metabolic processes (such as gluconeogenesis), has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, and whose levels in the blood may become elevated in response to physical or psychological stress.
Melatonin
This is a vertebrate hormone that is derived from serotonin, is secreted by the pineal gland especially in response to darkness and has been linked to the regulation of circadian rhythms
6. Waking Up Early Enables You to Pray
As Muslims will say “prayer is the sword of Muslims”, the same goes with the Christian. One of the benefits of waking up early very early in the morning makes it possible to sit comfortably and ask God whatever you want and complain to him about the problem/s you are encountering begging him to grant you your wish.
Compare to when you wake up late and still have other things to do, you will hardly say a prayer before you leave your house. Waking up early to pray to your lord will actually go a long way in changing your life from that you don’t want to that which you want.
In conclusion
Go to bed early and wake up early. The morning hours are good.
Jeff Bezos
