Do you want a promotion but are afraid that your coworker might receive it instead, because they’re more approachable? Most people want a raise or promotion in their career path. These jumps in pay and responsibility rarely happen without becoming approachable and making meaningful connections.
Making connections in professional settings isn’t always easy, especially in busy environments where passing moments of conversation don’t occur regularly. Networking opportunities (moments to make new business connections) at work can be even harder to find if you’re someone who leans toward introversion. If you wish to become more accessible to your coworkers, work on being approachable.
Being Receptive
One of the most noticeable characteristics of approachable people is their ability to be receptive. These people respond well to feedback and know how to give it in a way that’s constructive. They’re willing to try new things and take on tasks that aren’t assigned to them, even if it means doing a little extra work. Approachable people are also eager to learn more about their coworkers. Sometimes this means eating lunch with your coworkers or having those proverbial “water-cooler conversations.”
10 Approachability Tips
If you’re ready to work on becoming more approachable, follow these 10 tips:
- Use your basic communication skills. Greet your coworkers as they arrive in the morning.
- Tell others about your failures. This makes you more relatable.
- Be willing to ask for assistance.
- Use body language that doesn’t seem to shut people out. Try not to fold your arms. Turn toward the person talking to you.
- Don’t be pessimistic; embrace optimism. If someone doesn’t accept your proposal, find out why and treat it as a learning experience, not a personal attack.
- Ask for feedback and receive it well.
- Be compassionate and empathetic when people come to you with work or personal problems.
- Ask questions, be intrigued, and don’t lose your sense of wonder. Curiosity is the catalyst to learning.
- Make everyone feel receptive. When everyone is open and invested, more cooperation and work gets done. Make everybody feel like they play a crucial role in the process of reaching your team’s goal.
- Establish trust in everyone and you’ll become more trustworthy. Stand by your own words and actions. If someone shares sensitive information with you, keep it between you and that person.
To learn more about these tips and understand why they’re so useful, read this article. Remember, these aren’t just tips for the lunchroom conversations, they’re helpful in any scenario that requires you to be more welcoming. Sometimes we think we’re approachable but get lost in our heads so frequently that we don’t appear that way. Keep reading to find out if you’re as open as you think you are!
Characteristics of Approachable People
When you get to the point in your career that you want to advance and take on more responsibilities, becoming more approachable will get you there. Some of us are naturally approachable and some are not, but all of us could benefit from putting effort into being open-minded. Take this test to find out whether you’re approachable, and learn how to get there if you’re not.
For the introverts out there, it’s harder making personal connections and opening yourselves up to new opportunities. Try embodying these qualities of approachable leaders:
- Be open-minded and seek out other people’s opinions.
- Offer advice and guidance (know when someone is just venting and when someone might be looking for advice; this comes with practice).
- Hold yourself accountable and be reliable.
- Be a good listener and confidant.
- Lead by example.
- Request and expect top-notch work, attitudes, and ideas.
- Be positive in your attitude and outlook.
- Respect your team and insist that they do the same.
- Care about your coworkers genuinely. Treat them as humans with lives and problems outside of work, just like your own. Remember that some of them don’t have it easy.
- Be confident, not cocky, and be passionate in everything you do.
As you start to adopt these characteristics, you’ll find more opportunities arise and connections made. You’ll even feel more open to reaching out and networking on your own. When you start to feel comfortable around your peers, you’ll develop stronger relationships with them and begin leaning on each other for support. This will make work feel more collaborative and creative. It may even lead to long-lasting friendships outside of work.
Opening new doors by becoming approachable.
Whether you’re feeling stuck in your position at work, or feeling disconnected from the rest of your peers, you’ll gain a lot from being receptive and open-minded. When doing so, you’ll find that a new world of opportunities and connections presents itself. As you gain confidence, you’ll notice yourself being friendlier and, in turn, building relationships and making friends outside of work, too. Having an approachable personality will result in a fulfilling work and personal life.
