The importance of a positive atmosphere in the workplace cannot be emphasized enough. Considering that most of us spend a large part of our working time in an environment where we cooperate with others, it is important that, in addition to optimal working conditions such as salary, benefits, and the facilities of the company restaurant, we also feel good at our workplace.
Collegiality, or the relationship between employees, is a complex issue, especially today, when four different generations work together. These include baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964; Generation X, born between 1965 and 1976; Generation Y, born between 1977 and 1995; and Generation Z, born after 1995. In addition, in the coming years, members of Generation Alpha—those born in 2010 and later—will also enter the workforce.
The difference is particularly significant between representatives of generations born before and after 1995. The latter were born into a digitalized world, which often leads to difficulties in connecting and understanding between them and members of older generations. For this reason, it is important to pay attention to developing collegiality within the company.
How can you be a good colleague?
In such a generational environment, there are many elements that determine how one can be a good colleague. Here are a few tips.
- Respect your colleagues. Take into account their different habits and mindsets and communicate accordingly.
- Avoid uncomfortable topics. Do not initiate discussions that could be unpleasant for colleagues.
- Build relationships based on trust. Until you get to know each other and connect, carefully build trust so that both of you know you can rely on one another.
- Develop emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is an important skill; when it is at an appropriate level, you will be able to recognize others’ feelings and moods and communicate accordingly.
Award for the best colleagues
At Tisza Automotive, we also pay close attention to collegiality. We have numerous initiatives in this area and strive to do everything possible to develop relationships of trust, and even friendship, among colleagues, so that they feel they can rely on one another.
At the end of the year, we organized a major prize game in which our employees could answer various questions related to the company and their work each week. One of the questions asked them to nominate their favorite colleague. This question received a large number of responses, suggestions, and nominations.
We summarized all of them and rewarded the 10 colleagues who received the most nominations with a modest recognition, thereby highlighting the importance of collegial relationships.