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Building Co-Worker Cooperation

Is your relationship with your co-workers causing you stress? "Co-worker conflict adds stress to your workday," says Robin Molella, MD, internist in preventative and occupational medicine at Mayo clinic. "It can decrease productivity and negatively affect health."

What can you do? Try these ideas to change how you react to stressful interactions on the job.

  PICK YOUR BATTLES.  Not every squabble is worth your time. Don't overreact or waste energy on situations you can't change.

  USE YOUR VACATION TIME AS GETAWAY TIME. Rather than taking vacation in 1-week blocks, consider taking a day here and there to do something fun.

  DISTANCE YOURSELF. When you feel anger coming on, get away from the situation and cool off before responding.

  WORK OFF YOUR FRUSTRATION. Sometimes a rousing workout relieves stress and puts things in perspective.

 IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. Is the conflict due to a workrelated issue, such as a disagreement over who should attend a meeting? Or is it personal, such as the feeling that a co-worker is being rude to you?

 TELL CO-WORKERS WHAT'S BOTHERING YOU. Calmly use "I" language, such as, "I feel cut off when you don't send me meeting notices" or "I find it rude when you cut me off while I'm trying to make a point." Then explain what you'd like in the future -- notice of certain meetings, communication over sensitive issues face-to-face, not by email.

 DON'T PLAY THE BLAME GAME. When something goes wrong, avoid the "it's not my job" mentality.

 GOLDEN RULE. Treat people as you would have them treat you. It's difficult enough to have to work everyday, why not try creating a warm atmosphere to work in?