As you’ll know from your oldest friends, building close connections with people can take time and effort. But there are also some simple things you can do to forge better relationships with your colleagues. Identify Your Relationship Needs. Do you know what you need from others? And do you know what they need from you? Understanding these needs can be instrumental in building better relationships. Develop Your People Skills. Good relationships start with good people skills. Focus on Your EI. Emotional Intelligence. (EI) is your ability to recognize your own emotions, and better understand what they’re telling you. By developing your EI, you’ll become more adept at identifying and handling the emotions and needs of others. Practice Mindful Listening. People respond better to those who truly listen to what they have to say. By practicing mindful listening, you’ll talk less and understand more. And you’ll quickly become known as trustworthy. Schedule Time to Build Relationships. If possible, you could ask a colleague out for a quick cup of coffee. Or give a “one-minute kindness” by commenting on a co-worker’s LinkedIn post you enjoyed reading or sending them a quick message to check in with how they’re doing. These little interactions take time but lay the groundwork for strong relationships. Manage Your Boundaries. Make time, but not too much! Sometimes, a work relationship can impair productivity, especially when a friend or colleague begins to monopolize your time. It’s important to set your boundaries and manage how much time you devote to social interactions at work. Appreciate Others. Everyone, from your boss to the intern, wants to feel that their work is appreciated. So, genuinely compliment the people around you when they do something well. Praise and recognition will open the door to great work relationships. Be Positive. Focus on being positive. Positivity is contagious and people gravitate to those that make them feel good. Avoid Gossiping. Office politics and gossip can ruin workplace relationships. If you’re experiencing conflict with someone in your group, talk to them directly about the problem. Gossiping with other colleagues will only exacerbate the situation, accelerating mistrust and animosity.