How do you gain the cooperation of coworkers when you’re not their boss and resources are scarce?

Not every work relationship is depicted in your organization’s “org” chart. If you think about all the people you have to interact with each day to do your work, it would be nearly impossible to document it all.

When you have a task and need someone else’s cooperation, how can you make it easier to gain their assistance when you are not their supervisor? It is easy. Do what really productive workers do.

When it comes to gaining the cooperation of others who are busy doing their own work in order to also help you with yours, you have to think outside the org chart. You have to build a relationship based on mutual understanding and benefit.

3 Tips for Gaining the Cooperation of Coworkers Become More Productive

Here are 3 ways you can make it a lot easier for you to get the resources from others you will need to get your work done:

1. Be transparent In the world of informal working relationships, demanding resources just doesn’t work. A better way is to explain what you need and why. People generally like to help. But only if they know why. Share that information so that they can share in your success.

2. Reciprocate Cooperation is a two-way street. Give as well as take when working together. It is easier to share a task when all parties know they will benefit.

3. Acknowledge Recognize the person for the part they played. It could be a simple “thanks”. Or, it could be a public acknowledgment of the part the other person played in the success. A win for one should be a win for all.

The company’s org chart doesn’t tell half the story about all the relationships that exist in order to get everyone’s work done. To be a more productive employee, you should actively cultivate and nurture those essential relationships necessary for you to meet your goals. Productive workers are transparent in sharing their goals with others. Productive workers reciprocate in kind with those who have helped them. And, productive workers acknowledge when they have been helped.

What are the informal relationships in your organization necessary for you to get your work done? Decide which of those relationships can be improved and implement the 3 tips so that it is a win-win for everyone.