Working with others can be tough, especially if you’re used to being the boss. As a freelancer or business owner, you often find yourself responsible for multiple projects simultaneously, so learning to work well with others can be a challenge.
In this article, I’ll share some tips that you can use to improve the way you work with other people.
STEP 1: Know What You Want
The first step in working well with others is to know exactly what you want. You need to know how you want to feel when you’re done, and what you expect from your team members. It’s also important to understand why you want to work with a particular person or team.
Your attitude towards your team members will determine whether they work well with you. If you expect them to be subservient, you might find it hard to get along. Likewise, if you expect them to work well with you, you’ll probably find it easy to get along.
STEP 2: Set Boundaries
As much as you’d like to control everything, you can’t always. Learn to set boundaries with your team members. For example, if you’re working with a graphic designer, you’ll have to allow them to make decisions on how their designs look, and you can’t always control their time.
STEP 3: Know Yourself
This is important for both you and your team members. If you’re an extrovert, you’ll need to be sure to communicate with your team members before meetings. If you’re a natural leader, it’s important to lead by example.
It’s also important to know yourself. If you’re a perfectionist, you’ll need to accept that you can’t always be perfect. If you’re an expert, you’ll need to learn how to explain things clearly.
STEP 4: Create a Positive Environment
A positive environment is the perfect place to work well with others. This means setting the tone early. Do you want to be the kind of person who yells at your team members? Or do you want to create a friendly, supportive work environment?
STEP 5: Have Fun
This may seem like a silly tip, but having fun is the key to working well with others. You can’t go into a meeting with a negative mindset. If you’re having fun, you’ll feel good about what you’re doing.
It’s also important to have a sense of humor. Laughing at your own jokes or at the jokes of your team members will help you connect with them.
Thanks for reading!