How to Be a Better Co-Worker

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Step 1: Work hard
Be good at your own job. If you're efficient, you reduce the pressure on everyone around you: be early, don't let paperwork pile up, and respond to emails and calls promptly.

Step 2: Pitch in
Pitch in wherever you're needed—especially if it's "not your job." Nobody likes a prima donna.

Step 3: Keep your voice down
Keep your voice down, especially on personal phone calls. There's nothing worse than having to listen to someone in the next cubicle describe a scaly rash or coo to a new love interest.

Tip
Keep your cell phone on mute or low—with a generic, non-obnoxious ring tone.

Step 4: Don't smell
Don't stink. No, literally: just because you can't smell the effects of your early morning jog or your favorite perfume doesn't mean everyone else can't. Go easy on the scent, no matter what it is.

Step 5: Gossip within reason
Go ahead and gossip. Research shows it's a valuable way to start and cement relationships. Just keep it reasonable—not petty or mean and not over email.

Step 6: Be considerate
Be considerate. If you take the last cup of coffee, make another pot. Save strong-smelling foods for home, especially if you work in tight quarters. Don't leave a jammed copy machine for someone else to deal with.

Step 7: Be cheerful
Leave your bad moods at home. Everyone has problems, and no doubt some of your colleagues have worse troubles than you.

Step 8: Be polite
Be polite to everyone, especially those who are lower on the office food chain. It's the right thing to do, and you never know when you might need them on your side.

Step 9: Be a team player
Don't go home without asking if your colleagues need any help, and join in the occasional social gathering. And if someone's had a bad day, buy them a margarita.

Did You Know?
Three in four workers reportedly suffer from stress—and most list a troublesome coworker as the main source.