Though a separation of work life and home life is important, life on the job is far more enjoyable when you feel connected to the people you work with. So, how do you stand socially at work? Do people love you? Hate you? Or some combination in between?

 If you need some inspiration to build better workplace connections, follow the model of the people who are most loved by their colleagues. 

Five small, effective habits mastered by everyone's favorite coworker

1. They communicate calmly and mindfully

To ensure you are heard whenever you speak, learn to calm and center yourself before communicating with anyone about anything at work.

I teach two different skills to accomplish this, and each one allows you to shift from thinking of yourself as a victim to thinking of yourself as a powerful person in the process of turning a situation around to your advantage, as supported by research published in Frontiers in Psychology Journal. When you’re calm, and you learn how to be a powerful communicator, others will listen to you every time.

2. They create their own career path

You always have the opportunity to improve a situation, any situation. People who suffer from severe, debilitating illnesses can have great careers, and even people with limited connections can create new ones. It’s what you do with every minute of the day that shifts your results.

What can you do now that works for you (even if you don't love your actual job)? There are billions of people on the planet, so never feel stuck in a challenging situation, we have so many options. You landed in this situation because you had a lack of awareness at the time you took the job. But now you can change the situation with new skills.

You can include prayers, too, if it is consistent with your belief system. Just don’t leave it all to “The Creator”, you must also be “the creator.”

3. They increase their LQ (likability quotient)

Yes, it's true — you need to be an expert at what you do to be entirely dependable and efficient. Yes, yes, and yes. But, ultimately, as evidenced by a study in Frontiers in Psychology Journal, the most important quality in the workplace is being likable because even if your boss likes your work, he or she still might look to replace you if you're a complainer or someone who is not seen as a team player.

This means in every single moment, you avoid gossip, you avoid inflammatory commentary, you treat your co-workers with respect, and you remain as professional in your delivery as possible, always thinking about your future in the company and how you can be seen as indispensable.

Please enjoy the full article on my Yourtango blog

Susan Allan is a Certified Mediator, Communication Specialist, and Life Coach whose Evolution Revolution® Trainings and Heartspace® and Divorce Forum® Solutions offer proven tools to solve complicated problems, experience joy, and happiness, and let go of suffering.