How to Be a Kind and Respectful Coworker (Even When It's Not Easy)

Let’s be honest, sometimes we enjoy our job, and sometimes we don’t. Here are two reasons why I sometimes don’t like mine:

Sometimes I don’t like how customers or coworkers treat me.

Sometimes I don’t like how I treat customers and coworkers.

I've always wanted to be polite and respectful in how I treat others, but sometimes I act in ways I’m not proud of. I lose my temper, give attitude, and become impatient. I've started to think about what’s holding me back from being the person I want to be:

1.Overwhelming Workload

My daily job includes helping customers during the day and doing paperwork after the branch closes. Working overtime is normal because of tight deadlines and the work culture. Every day, I think about how I can organize my tasks better so I don’t have to work so much overtime and can get home a bit earlier.

2.It Stresses Me Out When People Interrupt My Concentration

My job is fast-paced and involves a lot of multitasking. One thing that really bothers me is when I need to focus on a task, but my coworkers interrupt me for help (which is actually part of my job, so setting a "do not disturb" time seems almost impossible).

3.Am I the Problem?

I wondered if the issue is my lack of competence, professionalism, or maturity, or if it’s just normal to feel this way—or maybe I'm just too stressed. Still, I've seen others who feel overwhelmed at work but handle it with grace and patience.

I started to quiet my mind and pray to God. These are the steps I can take to practice being a kind and respectful coworker, even when things get busy.

1.Pray to God

• Tell God that I want to learn to be a kind and respectful coworker, and ask Him for help.

• Ask God to let me experience His goodness and kindness so that I can learn to be good and kind to others.

• Be honest with God, telling Him that I work better in a calm, less stressful environment. Even when things get tense and I have no choice, ask Him to help me rely on Him. (I don't feel guilty admitting that I'm not aiming to work in a challenging environment just to prove myself.)

2.Spend Enough Time With God

John 15:5, AMP

5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

As a Christian, I believe my strength comes from God. It's important to spend enough time with Him. Try to set aside a specific time and place for prayer and meditation with God. Give yourself plenty of time without rushing. I feel much calmer and happier when I spend enough time with Him.

3.Being Kind and Respectful Is a ChoiceBe intentional about treating others with kindness and respect. Use reminders, such as prayers or timers, to help you stay mindful. Remember that kindness and respect are choices you make, not just when it's convenient for you. Remind yourself of the kind of person you want to be.

4.Take Good Care of Yourself

Taking care of myself needs self-discipline. This includes eating healthy, going to bed and waking up at regular times, getting enough rest, and not staying up scrolling through social media. It also means drinking enough water and taking breaks when needed instead of focusing too much on my tasks. By taking good care of myself, I can be better at looking out for others’ needs.

5.Understand That Sometimes You Need Help, and Sometimes Others DoNo one can handle everything alone. Most of the time, we need to work with others. Everyone at work has their own strengths, so you might need help with their skills, resources, or connections. If you are kind and respectful, people are usually happy to help you when you need it. If things don’t go as planned, you can still be proud of how you handled the situation professionally.

6.Say No Tactfully and Nicely

Being kind and respectful doesn’t mean you have to say “yes” all the time or overpromise. Sometimes you need to say no. Instead of reacting harshly, practice saying it politely and offer alternatives if you can.

7.Be Kind To Myself

If I don’t do well one day, I should remember that I'm only human and not perfect. Let go of mistakes, forgive myself, and try my best the next day. Here’s a Bible verse for reminder and encouragement.

Philippians 4:13, AMP

13 I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Do you have any thoughts on how to be kind and respectful at work? Share your ideas in the comments below.