We don’t always think about it, but the people we work with play a huge role in how we feel about our jobs. Sure, pay and benefits matter—but team members, managers, and coworkers can make the difference between dragging through the day or enjoying the work.
Adam De Rose, a senior HR reporter at Morning Brew covering HR tech, cited new Glassdoor research in which organizational psychologist Adam Grant noted, “One of the most robust predictors of job satisfaction, and engagement, and well-being at work is having strong ties with people.”
“People share more information with their friends and more candid,” Grant continued. “Both of those things mean they’re less likely to fall victim to groupthink … on average, that leads to thoughtful dissent, more constructive debate, and better decision-making.”
Look at the people in the workstations around you. Are you as positive, trustworthy, and supportive as you want to be? If not, here is how you can make those work relationships better.
Trust makes everything smoother. When you trust your team, it’s easier to speak up, to geto-worker? things done, and to not second-guess every email. A quick “how’s your day going?” or just showing up consistently builds trust more than you think.
Good teammates make tough days easier. Deadlines and stress are part of all of our jobs, but they’re a lot easier to handle when you know someone’s got your back. Offer help when someone is swamped—it all adds up.
You grow more when you’re around the right people. Coworkers who share advice, challenge your thinking, or just give solid feedback help you level up. We value a questioning attitude, don’t be shy. Most people are happy to help—and are flattered that you asked.
Culture isn’t written—it’s how we act. Real culture is built in everyday moments: how we talk to each other, how we support each other, and how we handle the messy stuff. Want a better culture? Lead by example.
Respect goes a long way. You don’t have to be best friends with everyone, but you do need to work with respect. Listen well, communicate clearly, and own your part. Even small efforts make a big difference.
At the end of the day, work is about people. You might not control the workload, but you can shape the experience for yourself and the people around you. When you show up with positivity, trust, and support, you don’t just make things better — you set the tone for everyone.
