How To Be a Good Coworker Including Behaviors You Must Avoid

Are you a good coworker? Do your coworkers like working with you? 

When it comes to being a great coworker, there are certain behaviors you’ll want to avoid and others to work on to become an ideal coworker.

Here are some quick tips for how to be a great coworker, including what not to do. 

Behaviors Good Coworkers Avoid

Behaviors Good Coworkers Avoid
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Avoiding behaviors that can negatively impact your professional relationships and overall work environment is important in the workplace.

Here are some behaviors to avoid.

Avoid: Gossiping

Gossiping
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Engaging in gossip or spreading rumors about colleagues can create a toxic work culture and damage trust among team members.

Avoid: Negativity

Negativity
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Constantly displaying a negative attitude, complaining excessively, or being dismissive of others’ ideas can bring down morale and hinder collaboration.

Avoid: Procrastination

Procrastination
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Consistently putting off tasks or failing to meet deadlines can create bottlenecks and cause frustration among team members who rely on your work.

Learn MoreHow To Stop Procrastinating and Start Destroying Your To-Dos

Avoid: Lack of Accountability

Lack of Accountability
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Avoiding responsibility for mistakes or not taking ownership of your actions can erode trust and hinder personal and professional growth.

Avoid: Disrespectful Communication

Disrespectful Communication
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Using derogatory language, interrupting others, or failing to listen actively can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and a breakdown in effective communication.

Avoid: Micromanagement

Micromanagement
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Hovering over colleagues, excessively controlling their work, or failing to delegate tasks can hinder autonomy, demotivate team members, and impede productivity.

Avoid: Poor Time Management

Poor Time Management
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Constantly being late for meetings, missing deadlines, or failing to prioritize tasks can create inefficiencies and disrupt workflow.

Avoid: Lack of Collaboration 

Lack of Collaboration 
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Withholding information, being unwilling to share knowledge, or failing to collaborate effectively can limit innovation, hinder teamwork and create silos within the organization.

Qualities of a Good Coworker 

Qualities of a Good Coworker  
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There are specific attributes that can help make someone the ideal coworker. 

Good Coworkers Are Reliable 

Reliability 
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An ideal coworker is dependable and follows through on commitments, delivering high-quality work consistently and meeting deadlines.

Have Great Communication Skills

Communication Skills
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Effective communication is crucial. An ideal coworker communicates clearly, actively listens, and fosters open dialogue, promoting understanding and collaboration among team members.

Be A Team Player

Team Player
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An ideal coworker is cooperative and supportive, willing to contribute to the success of the team. They actively participate in group efforts, share knowledge, and offer help when needed.

Exhibit Professionalism

Professionalism
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Professional conduct is essential. An ideal coworker maintains a positive attitude, acts ethically, and treats others with respect, regardless of differences or conflicts.

Have Adaptability

Adaptability
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Change is inevitable in the workplace, and an ideal coworker embraces it. They are flexible, open to new ideas, and willing to adjust their approach as needed to meet evolving challenges and demands.

Good Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-Solving Skills
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An ideal coworker approaches problems with a proactive mindset. They identify solutions, think critically, and contribute constructively to finding resolutions.

Positive Attitude 

Positive Attitude
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Positivity is contagious and helps create a supportive work environment. An ideal coworker maintains a can-do attitude, encourages others, and brings optimism to the workplace.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence
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An ideal coworker possesses emotional intelligence, understanding and managing their emotions effectively. They also show empathy towards others and foster positive relationships.

Take The Initiative

Initiative
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An ideal coworker takes initiative, proactively seeking opportunities to contribute and improve processes. They go beyond their assigned tasks, showing enthusiasm and dedication to their work.

Continuous Learning 

Continuous Learning 
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An ideal coworker has a growth mindset and a willingness to learn and develop professionally. They actively seek new knowledge, embrace feedback, and adapt to changing circumstances.

More From Tons of Thanks

Thank You To A Good Coworker
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Have you realized that you have some good or great coworkers? 

Occasionally, you can express your gratitude for them with a thank you email. 

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Author: Smita D Jain

Bio:

Smita D Jain is a certified Personal Empowerment Life Coach, Executive Coach, and NLP Coach Practitioner. Her ‘Empower Yourself’ Personal Clarity programs enable busy working professionals unhappy with their jobs to transform their passions into professions so that they work because they want to and not because they have to.