How to Win Over a Colleague Who Doesn't Like You

Whether it's your manager, a subordinate or a random colleague, occasionally people just don't like you. Sometimes the reason isn't clear, but it's on you to change the relationship dynamic, says Dorie Clark of Forbes. So what can you do to disarm a cranky colleague, he asks? Two things:

Give Honest Compliments: It may not be easy, especially if the person has been distancing themselves from you for a while. But if you're objective, they probably have some qualities you admire. If you take a positive action and compliment them, it may well break the ice and make them re-evaluate their perceptions of you.

Ask for Their Advice: Cialdini notes this strategy—which involves asking for their professional advice, book suggestions, etc.—comes from Founding Father Ben Franklin, a master of politics and relationship building. "Now you've engaged the rule of commitment and consistency," says Cialdini, in which they look at their actions (giving you advice or a book) and draw a conclusion from it (they must actually like you), a surprisingly common phenomenon in psychology. "And suddenly," says Cialdini, "you have the basis of an interaction, because now when you return it, you can return it with a book you think he or she might like."

You can read more of Clark's advice at Forbes. 

How have you won over someone who didn't like you? 

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