1. Listen without interrupting. This shows respect for their concerns and opinions. It also gives you time to formulate a clear response, especially if they ask you an important question or are disagreeing with you.

2. Ask questions and listen to the answers. It sparks conversation and the other person is more willing to share information. Ask a coworker what he’s working on or why the company does something a certain way. If you seek to understand, you’ll develop a friend, and you may learn something that benefits your own goals.

3. Keep confidences. Trust is important in any relationship. There is nothing worse than an office gossip. If someone shares something personal and it will not hurt anyone else, don’t repeat it.

4. Beware of being the lone ranger. If you never collaborate or delegate, coworkers may see you as a loner and loser. Collaboration can create a better product and more importantly, excluding people may get you excluded from opportunities in the future.

5. Acknowledge a colleague’s point of view, even if you disagree. Again, you’re showing respect, and by doing so you can be more persuasive of your differing point of view. If you dismiss their position outright, they might interpret that as you dismissing them, which builds animosity and makes you look arrogant.

6. Don’t take things personally. When people disagree with you, realize the disagreement is usually issue based. People can say things that sound hurtful but realize their intent was not to hurt you so don’t let that be the effect!

7. Share your expertise. Look for opportunities where you truly have something to add — rather than focusing on what you’ll get in return. For example, help a new hire understand how their manager tends to say “No” first and then comes around.

8. Don’t overdo it. The line between a strong professional relationship and a friendship is a blurry one. When you are with coworkers, you are always at work. Share only the personal information you’re willing to accept as part of your professional reputation. For example: “My kid has to have surgery” is OK to share, but “I really got drunk last week” is too much information.