After a few weeks in the office, we usually learn to adapt to the environment of our work. Courtesy is expected to be given to our officemates, especially to those ranking higher than us. What we tend to overlook is those that are below us: our subordinates and the maintenance people.
Subordinates
Being nice to those directly reporting to you does not mean letting them off the hook when they are at fault. Nor does it mean that you should not give them work. What I do mean is that you acknowledge and treat them fairly inside and out of the work place even if your own boss doesn’t treat you so. The phrase “it’s lonely at the top” will be applicable to you if you always mistreat your subordinates. If you treat them right however, you’re sure to have good company with you regardless of whether you make it at the top or not.
Maintenance people
We always pass these people by, sometimes even more than once a day. They are the security guards, janitors, and helpers in our office. I find it interesting that almost all maintenance people have the same name: Ate and Kuya. The advantage of being nice to these people is that you get better service in the office. You desk will look cleaner, you won’t have to pin your ID all the time, and you also get to hear the news they receive (mind you, their information can be helpful at times).
Most people just need to be noticed to make them happy. It applies also in the workplace. Smile, greet everybody by their name, or simply nod. You can call it good karma, attitude/behavior, whatever. Personally, I believe that you don’t have to receive something from other people in order to be nice. Just. be. nice.
