It’s not just your boss that you should be nice to.
It’s not just your boss that you should be nice to.
Drink more water, be on time, cut your nails – these are such basic tenets that they probably don’t even count as advice. Maintaining a good relationship with your bosses and colleagues is one other similar piece of “fast-food wisdom”, but here’s a tip: don’t forget about the people who exist on the periphery of your professional life, for there are always fringe benefits to be had.
After all, it seems terribly shortsighted to keep only your immediate workmates close. And, what’s the harm in expanding your circle a wee bit? No matter which rung of the corporate ladder you’re on, nobody’s really above a favour or two from time to time, and life can work out to be just a bit sweeter if you’ve got these extra people to call on.
Receptionist
The outside world beyond our office walls can be a tumultuous one – we all know over-zealous salespeople or relentless clients, and sometimes all we need is a little bit of quiet and a receptionist who will kindly oblige when faced with a proposition to screen calls. And here’s the other thing: your receptionist is the one who’s on good terms with everyone in the office – especially all your bosses and those in upper management. Who knows, they might put a good word in for you if and when the occasion calls for it.
I.T. Guy
Let’s face it – we’re all glorified slaves to the digital age. Technology tends to work the same way that it fails – mysteriously. Maybe your emails aren’t coming in because the weather is too hot. Maybe the Wi-Fi isn’t working because you’ve seen enough cat pictures for the day. Who really knows?
The good people of the I.T. department – that’s who. There are few things as nerve-wracking as being disconnected when you haven’t first announced it on Facebook. If you’ve played nice, your pals over at I.T. will make sure you get back on the grid before they can say “system restore”.
Security Guard
At any standard-issue office, the only employees who are going to be there round-the-clock are your everdependable security guards. So a good few hours have passed before you realise that your trusty phone is nowhere on your person? Maybe you left it in the office? After all your colleagues have left, who can you call to verify this fact? Uh huh.
Cleaning Auntie
Your desk is gross. It’s better that you know it now. Research has shown that your desk actually has more bacteria than the average toilet seat. Scandalised? You ought to be. For some reason, we often neglect to give our work desks the wiping down and cleaning up that they so, so deserve. While your office cleaner may not go so far as to spoil you with Dettol, the occasional hello’s and thank you’s will ensure that rubbish goes into the bin, the bin gets emptied and used mugs get put away. Every little bit helps!
Sincerity Counts
Fake fronts are vile. Sure, it’s a great thing to be nice to people, but niceties always have to come with a side of sincerity. Nobody wants to be friends with the person who’s only nice when she wants something from you. So go ’head, smile and be polite, but remember that friendship is always a two-way street. The next time you’re out at lunch, why don’t you bring a coffee or doughnut back for the receptionist who’s got your shopping loot behind the counter?
