Working with others can be stressful. But the reality is, most people don’t want to work alone all day every day.
As an introvert, I’ve learned how to work with others and have been able to accomplish more than I ever thought possible.
Here’s how I do it.
STEP 1: Make Sure Everyone Has Their Needs Met
Make sure everyone has their needs met before you jump into anything. Even if it seems like you can handle it, it’s best to take the time to make sure they are getting what they need from you first.
STEP 2: Have a Plan
I believe that a plan is the most important thing you can have when working with others. I’ve been told that you can’t control other people, but you can control your own reactions.
It’s also easier to deal with a situation if you have a plan in place.
I usually make a list of tasks and goals that we’ll work on during our meeting. This allows us to keep focused and helps us move forward.
STEP 3: Set Boundaries
The key to working with others is setting boundaries. For me, that means saying “no” a lot. I’ve found that when I say “no”, I’m able to accomplish more than I would have otherwise.
Some people are more comfortable with boundaries than others. But even if you don’t like saying no, you still need to set them.
For example, if you’re going to a social event, try to make sure you know when you’re leaving. Otherwise, you might find yourself being pulled into conversations you really don’t want to be a part of.
STEP 4: Know Your Strengths
Working with others is often about giving them what they need. So if you can’t think of something they need, that’s fine.
However, you can often give them what they need without even realizing it. You just have to know what you’re good at.
This is where my strengths lie.
I’m a natural leader, and I can see when someone else is struggling. So I can help them by leading them through the process.
When you know your strengths, you can use them to your advantage.
STEP 5: Get Help From Others
Sometimes, we don’t realize what we can do. We think we know everything, but sometimes we have to admit that we don’t.
So when you need help, be willing to ask for it. You might be surprised by who you can learn from.
Thanks for reading!