Strong relationships at work make everything easier. When you trust and connect with your colleagues, collaboration flows, ideas spark, and even tough days feel a little lighter. But good relationships don’t just happen—they’re built through small, consistent actions.
Over the years, I’ve learned that small habits can make a big difference in how we connect with the people we work with. A little effort goes a long way in strengthening bonds, fostering trust, and creating a more supportive environment.
If you really want to build stronger relationships with your colleagues, start practicing these eight simple habits.
1) Show genuine interest
People can tell when you’re just making small talk versus when you actually care. And nothing strengthens a bond faster than showing real interest in someone’s thoughts, experiences, and challenges.
It’s easy to get caught up in your own tasks, but taking a moment to ask a colleague how their project is going—or even how their weekend was—can make a huge difference. The key? Listen to their response.
When people feel heard and valued, they naturally feel closer to you. And over time, these small moments of connection build trust and a stronger working relationship.
2) Express appreciation
A little gratitude goes a long way. I learned this the hard way early in my career when I was so focused on meeting deadlines that I rarely took the time to acknowledge the people helping me.
One day, a colleague pulled me aside after a big project and said, “You know, a simple ‘thank you’ would mean a lot.” That moment stuck with me. I hadn’t realized how much effort others were putting in to support me—and how much a small word of appreciation could strengthen our connection.
Now, I make it a habit to express gratitude regularly. Whether it’s a quick “I really appreciate your help on this” or a more thoughtful message, showing appreciation makes people feel valued. And when people feel valued, they’re more likely to trust and support you in return.
3) Remember names and small details
Most people don’t realize how powerful it is to hear their own name. In fact, studies using brain scans have shown that hearing your own name triggers unique activity in the brain, making you more engaged and attentive.
That’s why remembering people’s names—and small details about their lives—can make such a big impact. It shows you care enough to pay attention, and it makes your interactions feel more personal.
It doesn’t take much effort. Jot down a quick note after a conversation or mentally repeat someone’s name when they introduce themselves.
The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. And over time, these small efforts build stronger, more genuine connections.
Nobody likes working with someone who takes all the credit. When a project goes well, it’s rarely because of just one person—it’s a team effort. Acknowledging that builds trust and respect.
The best leaders and colleagues make a habit of highlighting the contributions of others. A simple “I couldn’t have done this without you” or “Their idea really helped shape this” makes a huge difference. It shows you’re not just focused on yourself but value the people around you.
When you make a habit of sharing credit, people are more likely to respect and support you. In the long run, that strengthens your work relationships more than any individual achievement ever could.
5) Be there when it matters
Work isn’t just about deadlines and meetings—it’s about people. And the moments that truly strengthen relationships aren’t always the big wins or major successes. They’re the times when someone needs support, and you show up.
Maybe a colleague is overwhelmed with a tough project, and you offer to help. Maybe they’re going through something personal, and you take a moment to check-in. These small acts of kindness don’t take much, but they mean everything.
Everyone wants to feel like they’re not alone in what they’re facing. When you make it a habit to be there for others—especially when it matters most—you build bonds that go beyond just work.
You create connections built on trust, respect, and genuine care. That’s what makes all the difference.
6) Admit mistakes
There was a time when I thought admitting a mistake would make me look weak or unprofessional. So I’d try to explain it away, justify it, or just hope no one noticed. But the truth is, people always notice—and trying to cover it up only makes things worse.
The first time I openly admitted I messed up, something surprising happened. Instead of losing respect, my team appreciated the honesty. More importantly, it made it easier for others to be honest about their own mistakes too.
Owning up to mistakes doesn’t just show integrity—it creates an environment where people feel safe to be human. When people feel safe, trust grows. That trust is what turns everyday colleagues into real allies.
7) Be consistent
Nobody likes to feel like they’re walking on eggshells, never knowing what version of a person they’re going to get. Consistency in how you treat others—whether things are going well or falling apart—builds a sense of reliability and trust.
It’s easy to be kind and supportive when everything is running smoothly. But the real test of character is how you show up when stress is high, deadlines are tight, or things don’t go as planned.
If you’re someone who stays fair, respectful, and dependable no matter the circumstances, people will naturally feel more comfortable around you.
Strong relationships aren’t built on grand gestures—they’re built on small, steady actions over time. One of the most powerful things you can offer the people around you is the confidence that they always know where they stand with you.
8) Give more than you take
The strongest work relationships are built on generosity—not just with resources or favors, but with time, attention, and encouragement. The people who build the deepest connections are the ones who give without keeping score.
Offer help without being asked. Share knowledge freely. Celebrate others’ successes as if they were your own. When you make a habit of giving more than you take, people notice.
And over time, those relationships become stronger, more genuine, and more rewarding than you ever expected.
Bottom line: Small actions, big impact
Human connection isn’t built in a single moment—it’s shaped by the small, everyday interactions we have with each other.
Psychologists have found that trust and rapport grow through something called the “accumulation of micro-moments.” These are the brief but meaningful exchanges—sharing a laugh, offering help, remembering a small detail—that slowly transform working relationships into something deeper.
The strongest bonds aren’t formed through grand gestures or forced networking. They come from consistently showing up, paying attention, and making the people around you feel valued.
Over time, these simple habits don’t just change your relationships—they change the entire culture of your workplace.
