10 ways to cultivate a "friendly attitude" at work

10 Ways to cultivate a ‘friendly attitude’ at work

Fabienne Broucaret

14 Aug 2015

updated the 20 May 2016 à 10:48

1/10
Point out your apology
"That's what causes misunderstandings. Sometimes it is useful to apologise for a clumsy gesture or hurtful comments you made to a colleague without realising. You must then accept the anger or sadness and, especially, not stay hooked to this incident so as not to feed resentment. Forgiveness will lighten you."
2/10
Offer what you have
"Instead of complaining about what is missing, use that energy to reverse the process. When we need recognition, provide kindness and optimism. It will be more meaningful for you and those you work with, for it is likely they suffer from the same lackings as you do."
3/10
Keep a box of compliments
"We all need recognition. This is a good incentive to drive us to work with enthusiasm and pleasure. So collect the compliments in a physical box. This is for when our morale is low, and when we need it the most, those praises will be on display. This box is so handy to bring the pretty words out when they are most needed."
4/10
Let us use our benevolence with power
"This is a way to become aware of the influence of our attitude on others. A benevolent sentence sometimes has the ability to pass a good day at any workshop or service."
5/10
How great, it’s Monday!
"If we wait until Friday night to regain a taste for life, we're signing up for a terrible week ahead. The colour we give to our weekends often rubs off from Monday until the rest of the week. So establish a new ritual remembering all the reasons why you are in this position, all it brings you and all that you like in this job. Take Monday as a clean slate, a new start with an opening address. "
6/10
Play a theme every week
"For example: humour, serenity, smile, creativity and concentration, among other themes you could come up with. Then make a firm resolution to keep this principle in the forefront of your mind, from Monday to Friday. The aim is to give a special tone to your week."
7/10
Replace each critique with a question
"It profoundly transforms our communication. Our intention is different. By asking, we are promoting a positive and constructive energy, and a climate of cooperation. In criticizing, we are in a negative energy, disparaging, which will cause tension with the other party."
8/10
The basket of problems
"Sometimes getting to work can feel like you are carrying very unpleasant baggage. A big problem (like family, hardware, etc.) has been rehashed during the journey. The basket of problems, whether real or imaginary, is for that kind of baggage. This is not to ignore the problem but to separate from it temporarily to alleviate the weight."
9/10
Be thankful for error
"It is often through our mistakes that we progress. Instead of regretting being deceived, let us rejoice in us being seen. Then use this experience to learn something new."
10/10
Replace competition with solidarity
"Instead of motivating us to be the best, we often fall into the trap of wishing that the other is inferior. Replacing the competition with solidarity turns colleagues into allies. Competition gives way to emulation. The atmosphere is more positive and constructive. "

In a decidedly positive and optimistic work environment, Abdessamad Bennani, engineering Arts and Crafts, makes an inventory of 96 habits to develop to feel better in the office. We’ve picked the top 10 to urgently implement with your colleagues at work.

The book Friendly Attitude to Work is a mine of good ideas for one to be less stressed in the office. Simple solutions and practical advice, from the author’s experiences in various businesses, to change our daily behaviour can be found there. The only risk? “Feeling happy with his work,” laughs the author, Abdessamad Bennani, is “highly contagious”. We offer 10 extracts from this book in the slideshow above.

Fabienne Broucaret and Nur Syazana H.

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