Five People to Cozy Up to On The Job

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Oh, how clever! You said "Her boss". I guess that's OK. But if you said "His boss", you'd be male biased. Is that about right, idiots?

Great article Kaitlin,

I would add one more - the Janitor or cleaning crew. No one has more access to every office (nbo matter what level), conference room, desks, flip charts, meeting notes, etc. than the Janitor does. That person could be the "most in the know" in the company. They also will keep your work area clean!

Ladies and Gents...you don't have to get to know anyone or kiss any one group or individuals butt. The most simple way of getting anything in life is to treat everyone that you come in contact with the same...with RESPECT. Try it sometime and see if it doesn't work for you.

It's scary to realize how many people think it's their right to make another person's work life miserable because they don't like them. We all need to do a good job for the sake of the company. Not getting people their messages, reports and phone calls etc in a timely manner can be detrimental to the company. I had no idea so much pettiness was going on in the work place.

My #1 person to always be kind to is the I.T. guy....they control the universe.

I've been a teacher for a long time... and the number one person to make friends with is the custodian.... he holds the KEYS to the world...and if he's your friend---- great services, your room is always cleanest, if you need anything - they'll be right there, and If you need to get in after hours or early..... always happy to help....
Make them your enemy..... not good!!!!!!

We need to remember that we don't have friends at work. Loyalty is based on where you stand on the ladder and only then will it go so fare. We are all trying to get ahead in this world no matter if we are a he or she. We will do what it takes.

Wow, does this mean that you should be promoted over a more experienced worker because you kissed ass with the boss? I just fired one of these sociopaths. Not because he knew my boss but because he tried to use that relationship to get other employees fired. In firing him, I can say that all of my employee's are happier and I have set an example in our workplace. That is, "This company does not tolerate Mark York's". Mark York is an individual who worked for an IT company and planted elaborate fake stories about his bosses that forced all of them to retire, be fired, or transferred. It took 2 years to find out that all of these stories were fictional.

Hey.. u missed out on your colleagues, afterall its them who manages the show in your absense, and when we need some help in finishing a task. So being in good books of your colleagues is also an important factor

i've been without a job since april 1996. i wish i had a job!

i wish i had a job!

I was nice to my Boss' Boss and my Boss found a way to fire me or more politly lay me off due to the economy. I know it was wrong but he did it legally. I know what it was because they hired a someone else to do my job and called his job a different title but he did the same work. I was not protected by that Boss' Boss because I was nice. Although, I did get a raise not too long before I left. I was not too nice i was just polite and paid attention when he talked to me. I never went to his office or made an effort to look him up in any way. I was just polite with a smile. Should I ever do this again? Was this a one time event? Scared to try again.

I agree with Carol. You should be polite and courteous to everyone at work. Why do people think you only have to be respectful to people who can get you something, the custodian is no less a person than the CEO. I usually say hello to everyone I encounter during my day, not just when I need something. Guess what when I do need something people are always accomodating

What a Looser :D

Another queue is to be nice to the receptionist when you show up for an interview. I have been at the front desk when potential new hires walked in and I would let the hiring bosses who was super nice and those that treated me like crap. The ones that were not so nice were never hired. Of course, they had no idea that I was a manager just filling in for a break or a sick day.

Cozy up to EVERYONE on the job--you never know who'll have to give you CPR.

Why is it people are so worried about office politics instead of doing productive work, I will tell you because America doesn't care about hard work anymore infact work is a four letter word worst then the "f" word, instead America is more rewarding to those that do no work than to those that work their heads off. Bosses want their subjects to have as brown a nose as posible, they don't care if you do anything as long as you stick your nose as far up their butts as posible.

Actually, my job is just like that. Health insurance company where there's 90% women. They have the power. And yes, all the people that haul all the mail carts around, they are guys. Girls can't carry those huge bundles. So actually, you should grow up, because if you were grown up you'd know that not every office is from the late 1950's.

Why do space filling reporters always seem to assume that workplaces consist only of cubicle land?

There are some of us out there doing the actual work. No amount of paper and pixels in the world can equal the goods and services produced out in the field, whether it is raw materials, construction, factory production, service, or agriculture.

I mean no offense. There is work to be done, no matter the job. But seriously... MSN reporters need to unplug once in a while and see how the other half lives. Few offices exist for the sake of being offices. They usually control, collate, or analyze something going on "out there".

As an example...my own occupation puts me in no direct contact with receptionists, interns, or mail room guys. My boss's boss comes 'round once in a while, and anyplace is going to have the guy that has been there the longest, no matter the job.

It just seems that every time some MSN reporter wants to do a "workplace" article, it always has to do with an office.

25552

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This article is so stupid. Start your own business. You don't have to be friends with anyone in the office. Matter of fact, keep your work at work. Stop socializing and brown nosing. Stay productive. You are working to make money, not friends.

You need to grow up and stop overreacting. The writer probably has a female boss and a guy in charge of mail, so that's why its written that way. No big deal

What about the I.T. person?? If your nice to the I.T. person (or dept) any problems you have with the computer will be pushed towards the top of the list... working in I.T. for over 20 years, I would go out of my way to help the person I liked first... your monitor works but the brightness is starting to fade -- I like you - I get a replacement for you most times without even a trouble-ticket, I didn't like you - deal with it until it dies then you have to call the help desk for me to come out... laptop running slow -- I like you - let me see what's bogging it down and I'll take care of it, I don't like you - so the computer is slow - might be an overload on the network, sorry...

As far as using he or she when referring to different positions, it is possible the writer is drawing from her own experience. I doubt it was on purpose. I cannot remember having a job where my boss was a man. I have had at least two positions where my boss and my boss's boss were women.

I am aware that he/she is the accepted form of writing. But focusing on the words he or she misses the point of the article.

It doesn't matter if our bosses or co-worker are men or women. It doesn't matter what position they hold. We should treat everyone the way we wanted be treated.

Really, sincerely be kind and pleasant to everyone you can stand to be. I don't like the "cozy up to" implication that you are using people. It is certainly true that you will benefit from being honestly appreciative of those whose positions are lower than yours. Depending on what kind of work you do, the printing department staff, maintenance, and the audio-visual techs can save your butt...or not. Send thank yous for big projects completed well, and cc their bosses - especially if they help you out in a pinch. I don't use them, I just really know that I can't do my job without their expertise, whatever it is. The don't receive enough kudos, and they appreciate the acknowledgement. And, I truly appreciate them!

I agree people should follow the chain the of command at work. But, I don't think "establishing a connection" to the boss's boss is the same as going over the boss's head. When I think of going over someone's head, I think of trying to resolve a problem at work.

Perhaps a person should get all the info they can from their immediate boss first before cozing up to the boss's boss to be on the safe side.

Here is a novel idea: Why don't we do our jobs that we're paid to do? Maybe it'll keep the boss from "needing" to layoff people.

SEXIST MUCH? ok the receptionist isnt always a woman, just as the 'mail room guy' isnt always a guy. Please be more general next time when addressing the gender of a certain occupations. YOu know what they say about assuming....

...or instead of devoting 3/4 of your time on the clock kissing up to everybody, treat them all fairly, stand your ground, and *do your job* well. That very last point will keep your end covered more than anything.

@Pete - Assuming that networking with higher ups is the same as "rubbing elbows" (or kissing butt, sucking up, etc..) means this article is not meant for you. Getting a business card or some contact information is the easiest form of networking, and definitely among the most effective forms. If your boss saunters over and wonders why your cavorting with his boss, come up with a simple excuse (like "hey, I found out this guy also likes X-brand of whiskey" or "he goes to the same church").

The first one - the person who has been there the longest - is EXCELLENT advice. There is one of those anywhere you work, and they are invaluable fonts of knowledge.

Add me to the list of people who disagree completely with the suggestion that "your boss' boss" is someone you should be chummy with. Be polite and pleasant to EVERYONE...but DO NOT EVER approach your boss's boss to make conversation, ask questions, whatever. I can't think of a faster way to get yourself booted from the job, and rightfully so. No one would trust you if you did that, not even your boss' boss, who clearly knows chain-of-command rules or he/she wouldn't be at that high position. The boss' boss would wonder "what's up" - why can't you talk to your boss directly? They would be on the phone with your boss the second you left the office (maybe before even, by having an assistant e-mailing your boss while you are THERE, your boss would be ticked off...newbies out there, DO NOT follow that bit of bad advice. Yikes, scary!

#2 The receptionist, secretary, office assistant, exec secretary...whatever the title...you know who he/she is. A quick "How are you,______(person's name)?" or "Is your Mom doing better?" if he/she was out for a week to care for their ill parent is IMPORTANT. Don't treat this person like an "It". You needn't waste their time with too MUCH small talk, but always remember:THIS IS THE PERSON WHO HAS MORE DIRECT ACCESS TO YOUR HIGHER-UP THAN ANYONE.

As someone else said, treat everyone kindly. You really never know who is related, went to the same high school, started working the same year as, goes to the same church with, has kids who play together with...whom.

I have a really really good suggestion. How about you do good work, be honest as possible, as fair as possible, show up on time, and oh did i mention do good work?

All this worrying about everything and everyone else isnt really going to make you into anything more than a busybody. Be a pro or go home.

Here Here!!

Really? Look around. Maybe YOU need to grow up. Why are you offended by a woman who is in a power position? Have you ever seen a guy work in the mail room? Sounds like you have issues, and need a good anger-management therapist. Good luck with that.

"people who make their life on people guts are like ones making home in a mud pond"

lots of IT fellows and receptionists came out of the hole; jumping to create their importance..... ok fellows heard of you.......will treat you good....

if you pick everyones tits or testicles then you may be taken weak, its good to play hard ball sometimes, no matter who you play it with among the 5 or 10 of them, we are social animals so sometimes hook someyimes crook works.

for higher-ups you are only good if you bring money, business, goodwill, work and then smaller ones will automatically follow your needs.

if you establish you social status even higher than the higher-ups then they will be happy to become a step for your feet.
if you are good real world player (like cheese player who play everyone),

You never thought about the receptionist? How funny. Being a legal receptionist for 20 years, co workers realize it is best that they get on our good side. The point about receptionists was dead on, let me tell you.

Kerry,
I don't think it was meant to be taken so literally. I find it ironic that you are telling her to grow up while acting like a whiny baby. Sounds like you could take your own advice and mature a little.

oops got = for

Yep, this list is spot on as well as being nice to the IT ppl and the person in HR in charge of reimbursing your business related expenses.

I used to run the mailroom, made sure all the office equipment worked, and ordered supplies. And, you can bet if you were a jerk to me, oops, forgot to put that thing you needed on the supply order, wait til next week. Next week rolls around and I'll conveniently forget you asked got anything to begin with. Karma bites.

Be nice to everyone because you never know who might become a supervisor next week. ;)

I've always heard keep your boss's boss happy. I take that to mean, know what expectations and demands have been placed on your boss and do your best to support those goals so he looks good and reduces his stress and pressure. I would be very careful about how much time and energy you spend engaging your boss's boss. Doing that could complicate your working relationship with your boss.

I am the IT guy. Being polite and friendly gets you a lot of help. But get to the point and don't ramble with idle chatter because I've usually got complex technical issues I'm trying to solve in the back of my mind even as we speak. I can either tell you, "I'll make a trouble ticket and one of our tech staff will get to you as soon as we can." or I'll throw it right on my plate and bump it up to the next thing I get to instead of the bottom of my list. Donuts usually work on me.

I would call this a generic list for someone who is just starting out, because once you are settled in your position you really need to know 1) what do you have that makes you valuable to the company, and 2) Who is it that is more influential. Then, do your best to contribute to success of your team/branch/ division/company, and maintain a very good relationship with the influential people in the firm. You have it made from there on.

To mirror quite a few others, THANK YOU for putting Receptionist on this list! I have to say though, the people that come across my door are not the people that will be reading this article, so the hope that this would benefit me at my company is lost. *sigh* For some reason, once people get into a very high executive position, it seems they feel like they no longer even need to acknowledge my existence. Only 1 of them anymore makes a point to say hello to me, because I did a project for the COO, who had to get on their case for not getting information to me on his schedule so I could complete the project.

It's not that receptionists will be unwilling to help out when needed; I do my job to the best of my ability. But boy, does it put me in a downer mood that I've been there for more than a year and see you 2+ times a week for regular meetings, and you still can't remember my name, say hello, or even smile when you walk in the door! (we have feelings too! And tend to be smiley, happy people, that's why we're up front!)

Don't forget the janitorial staff! If you are lucky enough to see them at work, it's important to say hi and do the whole small-talk thing. They could make your work-life hell or a nice, clean place be in with a little schmoozing;)

Neat article. I might also suggest someone from housekeeping/custodian... they tend to have keys to everything, they know when the carpets are being cleaned and can give you a head's up, etc. As a teacher, I know how important these folks are to a school. (Think: how fast can the vomit get cleaned?)

How about the IT guy, hes pretty important especially when you need help pronto

You forgot the tech guys. Always keep the tech support happy. So when you break something they don't put your request to the bottom of their fix-it list.

An earlier comment mentioned being nice to everyone because you never know when one of them might be a relative. Too true! And if you get on a family member's bad side, it won't matter how good of a job you do. Blood is thicker than water most of the time.