Unless you’re a freelancer, there’s a good chance that everything you do in the course of a day at work is tied to a team of people. In the best scenarios, this can mean a mutually respectful group of people working to get the job done, whatever that might be; in the worst situation, it means some people–or everyone–stepping over one another to make a name for themselves, constantly undermining the team dynamic.
Unfortunately, we’ve all seen it: the person in the office who decides that they’re going to build their career by treating you like dirt. They’ll send emails far and wide, cc’ing everyone under the sun if it means throwing you under the bus or showing that they’re capable of telling you what to do.
In a culture of meritocracy it’s easy to forget that other people, and how you interact with them, are important to your career. This doesn’t mean walking all over people: it means empowering others to produce great results. After a few years of un(or low)-paid internships, entry-level competition can be fierce, and some go-getters are ready to run down anyone to get ahead. But make no mistake, in an increasingly collaborative work environment, there really is no “I” in team. It can be tricky to negotiate the overlapping social and professional territory that comes with leadership, but bosses will always notice the kind of positive leadership that helps other people. New research in management theory shows that the best leadership qualities include listening to other people. Not surprisingly, yelling at people didn’t make the list.
A recent piece from the Globe and Mail outlined how thinking of your own interests first can be a big boost to your long-term career goals. What this means is focusing, planning and creating real objectives for your career. What this doesn’t mean is trampling your co-workers. In an enlightening–not to mention refreshing–twist on the usual Ayn Rand-ian, “Me First” definitions of ambition, we’re starting to see a shift in which the most desirable qualities for an employee are associated with an entrepreneurial drive. Innovation, collaboration, creativity, commitment and working for the long-term goal are now more important than yelling at someone when they miss a deadline. Selfishness in the workplace means building your skills and expanding your knowledge, both of which benefit the company overall.
Collaboration is key more than ever before. From Google Docs to open-concept offices to horizontal team structures, work and cooperation are increasingly becoming synonymous. It might sound lame, but remember your grandma’s old saying: “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” So, in your professional life, don’t be the office jerk. Nice guys don’t finish last. They finish with a sturdy group of supporters propping them up on all sides.
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Kiel Hume writes for Toronto Standard. Follow him on Twitter at @kielculture.
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