Looking to be more approachable at your place of work?
I can’t tell you how important it is to be liked and likeable in the workplace. You want to be approachable, but not overly approachable (more on being overly approachable later).
Throughout your work day, people are forming opinions about you without a word coming out of your mouth. Let’s go over some of the reasons why being approachable is so important. I’ll also cover tips on how to become the approachable person you’re looking to be.
Why You Want To Be More Approachable
Let’s make sure we all understand that there’s a bigger picture here.
You don’t want to stay at the same position forever, do you? Of course not. Do you want to secure promotions, receive increases…maybe up that end of year bonus? Yes, yes you do.
Appearance is really everything, and I’m not specifically talking about the way you dress (although that is really important too!).
Golden opportunities for advancement do not come around daily. You want to place yourself in a position where when it does, you’re the first one everyone thinks of.
If there have been times when you’ve acted standoffish or haven’t treated others with respect, that will be remembered during these golden opportunities for advancement. However, don’t feel discouraged. It is never too late to change.
Thinking Like Management
Before we get into how to become more approachable, let’s talk about what others see from a distance.
Managers (good ones, and they unfortunately are not all good) like to have a plan in place for when changes happen or are made.
People get fired and quit and retire all the time. These good managers already have in mind who is going to be the next employee they move up. They know who is promotional material. This magic gem of an employee could save the manager from having to place an ad and interview 10 different people. No one wants to waste their time interviewing when there’s a person currently on payroll that could get the job done.
These managers see things and form opinions of you, no matter how much you verbally interact. Some of your talkative peers often go to them to chat.
You want to be on the top of their list for that next promotion. What if you’re thinking about asking for a raise? You have to constantly be on top of your game.
Tips To Become More Approachable
The following tips are suggestions that you should be doing every day. Not only will they put you in the spotlight with upper management, but they should also make you and those surrounding you feel pretty awesome.
It is going to take baby steps to become an approachable person if you have not been one in the past. Stick to the tips, start slow, and build your way up. On to the tips…
Know People Outside Of Your Department
Most likely, you work somewhere that has many different departments. There are people spread out and you don’t have any particular reason to interact with most of the individuals in your company.
If you work in a small office, these steps apply to you as well. Think of vendors that walk in or customers that you usually do not interact with.
You should know as many of their names as you can. Smile and acknowledge them when you pass while walking out to your car or taking a break.
Every single individual matters. Other people that you’ve never chatted with will notice that girl on the 5th floor that is always so polite.
Don’t be intimidated. You’re the only one holding you back. To become more approachable, you have to approach others. Think of one person now that you could interact with tomorrow. Someone who maybe you always ride the elevator with or can often be seen holding a door open for you. Make it a point to find out this person’s name and use it.
This is what a great leader does. She acknowledges everyone – no one is above or beneath her while she’s walking the halls. You want to be sincere in this. It should feel more rewarding to yourself than it does to the person you are acknowledging.
Open the door for others. If someone opens up the door for you, walk faster so they can see you are trying to not take up much of their time and you appreciate what they are doing.
Watch What Your Body Says
- Eye Contact is so important. Make sure you don’t look away from others when they are speaking.
- Don’t cross your arms or seem “closed off”. This is the opposite of approachable.
- Watch out for overly fidgeting during conversations or while at your desk. It gives off nervous vibes.
- Keep your chin up. You are confident and should radiate it.
- Stay off of your cell phone around others.
- When someone is talking to you, be an active listener.
Stay Positive
No one wants to be around someone who is negative. Stay positive, even when you aren’t feeling it. I promise the good in everything can be found if you only search for it.
When something new is introduced, do not be stuck in the past and unwilling to make a change. Ge excited to try new things and expand your knowledge. Raise your hand first if volunteers are asked to pilot anything.
Indeed has a great article on ways to become more approachable. Their section on smiling suggested he following times to remember to smile:
- When you meet someone for the first time.
- If the person you are looking at or talking to is smiling.
- When someone says something amusing.
- When saying goodbye or leaving a group or conversation.
Know that smiles are contagious and so is a negative attitude. People don’t want your negativity bringing them down. This includes being positive concerning the company you work for. Don’t say negative things – period.
No Gossip
Sometimes gossip is the answer to fitting in. Especially with mean girl groups at the office. You want to stay as far away as you can from any type of gossip.
If you are known for gossiping in the office, know that this is a repellent for people who are there to get the job done. They will purposely steer clear of you and the people that you are gossiping with. To be approachable, you have to be likeable. People will not approach you if they feel you may betray them.
Have Time For Others
Once, someone walked into my office and wanted to talk about something important. I immediately closed my laptop and gave them my full attention.
They actually mentioned to me months later that what I did meant so much to them. That small gesture of showing them that they had my full attention had left an impact. Their comment obviously left an impact on me as well.
Always have time for the concerns of others. Put them before your own in the workplace. You want to be a rock that people can lean on. If you don’t feel like you have any advice to give them in their time of need, that is ok. Having someone to talk to is an amazing gift you are giving.
Be A Great Trainer
Train with patience and understanding.
First, you need to know the ends and outs of your job an the jobs of those around you. Be a source of information. If a new system is introduced, research it at home and get to know everything about it.
If you are not the best at the work you currently do, get better. Take the time to be great at what you do.
Offer to help others if they are struggling. If they refuse, let them know that you’re always there if they change their mind.
Don’t Be Overly Approachable
Now, let’s talk about not being overly approachable.
Remember how your managers see everything? All the eye contact, smiles, and addressing people by name that you’re now doing as you strut the halls? Well, they also see the bad stuff people do.
Don’t take being approachable too far.
You do not need to get in anyone’s face and force trying to be likeable. Be compassionate and respectful of other’s time. You’re there if they need anything and they know it. You acknowledge and are polite with everyone.
If someone takes your openness as an open door to blab about their ex-boyfriend problems, nip that in the kindest way possible. The easiest way to do this would be to rush them through the conversation – give them their five minutes or less – and then kindly let them know you have a pile of work calling.
You never want to be seen as the person that gossips or spends more than five minutes talking about non-work related topics.
If there’s someone you truly enjoy talking to, or you’re just a talker in general, exchange numbers with that person. I’m not telling you not to be you! What I’m saying is: You may not realize it, but you’re being watched.
Finally, don’t let anyone take advantage of the new, savvy approachable skills you are showing off.
When a few people start to notice how approachable you are, everyone will quickly start to see.
0 Comments