CNBC.COM
People who are well-liked at work tend to be good communicators.
They often know how to talk to all kinds of other people, no matter the setting. Strong communication can help strengthen relationships and build respect in the workplace, says Vanessa Van Edwards, a behavioral researcher and bestselling author who teaches a Harvard University program on "effective organizational communication."
You can make a couple small changes. to get the most of your interactions with your colleagues — starting with your first greeting to them, says Van Edwards. "Make it a habit to greet people warmly, whether it's a smile, a nod or a quick, 'Good morning.'"
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Then, when you're talking, remember to be cognizant of your inflections, or how you change your vocal pitch and tone, adds Van Edwards, who's also the instructor of MasterClass' "People Intelligence" course. "Speak on the downward inflection. Don't accidentally use uptalk — the question inflection — on a statement. This is especially important on your first impression and when you mention important information," she says. "Make this a daily habit."
Other communication tactics could help you become more well-liked at work, too. Here are two more tips from other experts:
Make time for small talk
On the surface, small talk may not seem significant, especially when you've got other, more pressing challenges at work. But making time for unimportant conversations can go a long way, according to Lorraine K. Lee, a keynote speaker, LinkedIn Learning instructor, and author of "Unforgettable Presence: Get Seen, Gain Influence, and Catapult Your Career."
"Highly likable people treat these interactions as meaningful, not optional. They're present, even during quick exchanges," Lee wrote for CNBC Make It on Sept. 8. "These moments may feel small on their own, but they compound over time. They humanize you and help build stronger relationships."
Her advice: The next time you're eager to rush away from small talk with a colleague, stay a little longer, ask one more question, and be attentive to make a long-lasting impression, she wrote.
Know when to go
Reading the room is a valuable skill, especially during conversations.
If a person is constantly giving you curt, uninterested responses like, "Oh," "Is that so?" and "Uh huh, right," don't try to force the interaction. Instead, drop it and try again at a later time, Boston University clinical psychologist Ellen Hendriksen wrote on March 5.
Usually, when someone is enjoying a chat, they'll respond with "conversational doorknobs," Hendriksen wrote. The term, coined by a social scientist named Adam Mastroianni, refers to "anything that piques your interest, reminds you of something else, elicits a question, or is 'No way! Me, too!' relatable," she wrote.
When you're trying to build relationships, you might view a lack of conversational doorknobs as opportunities to keep speaking or ask more questions. But you won't be seen as unlikeable or unrelatable if you cut the conversation short, wrote Hendriksen: You might even be viewed as more friendly and relatable.
"Especially for perfectionists, when we're used to aiming high, lowering the bar might feel wrong, but it allows more friends and potential friends to clear the bar and join in," she wrote.
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