Sterling Whitehead maintains a blog called All Things Sterling.
1. You’re paid to do work, not to have people like you.
2. Your job is a lot easier if people like you.
Find that balance.
If you make friends, great. If not, it’s okay. Just make sure you are likeable because your job is a lot easier (e.g. your paperwork doesn’t get mysteriously lost).
Don’t go out of your way to make enemies. If you do make enemies, try to maintain good working relationships. Help people out on their shifts. Give advice (when asked). Helped then figure out how to format that Excel file.
There are 4 other rules that are essential for those starting new jobs at the PunkRockHR Employee Handbook.
What other advice would you include? Let me know.
Sterling, you should check out TFCN, the largest professional network for Government contractors. Sounds like this may be your other audience.
http://www.tfcn.us
My theory is life is short and we spend a lot of time at work. So we should try to make it as enjoyable as realistic as possible. Make friends, treat others like you want to be treated. And do good to others.
You don’t have to like the people you work with. You just have to respect them andcooperate if you need to succeed. Otherwise, live you life and work to out to live everybody else.