Being approachable can boost employee interactions, better communication and effective networks. 

Approachable can be defined as being polite, friendly, having the ability to listen, well-mannered, and compassion.

Such people’s actions, tone, and body language allows others to interact with them effortlessly, and are easily trusted. 

Experts say that approachable individuals often have productive conversations, large professional networks and good relationships with their teams.

Tips to be approachable at work

Ritah Mutoni, the manager of a local cosmetics’ firm, is of the view that maintaining eye contact enables having constructive conversations. 

She says that with eye contact, you can easily read one’s facial expression and know how to communicate with them or understand better what they are communicating, unlike scenarios where one is not fully concentrating on the conversation as they are distracted by their phones or something else. ‘You can tell whether someone is interested in the conversation or not.’

Mutoni stresses that you ought to be willing to listen to others by showing interest in the things they love doing. For instance, know how they spend their free time, and what they enjoy doing away from work, or their hobbies, if any. 

She adds that showing concern about others’ issues and opinions can open doors to greater connections and others may find it easy to openly trust you. 

"People find it easy to befriend those who dress smartly and appropriately for work, as looking good and neat or hygienic can attract friends. This is because smart people are easy to hang around,” Mutoni states.

She explains that people find it easy to approach those who listen to them, not those who enjoy talking without giving chance to others to talk, or those that interrupt just to make their points heard.

Poor communicators at times respond just for the sake, but not thinking carefully about their responses or opinions. Some things they say end up hurting others or not add sense, she notes. 

Mutoni further points out that empathetic workers are easy to be friends with because they applaud you when you hit your milestones, approach you kindly when in wrong, apologise when at fault.

John Kalisa, a businessman states that it’s very selfish being an employee who is knowledgeable and skilled but not willing to share your wisdom with others.

For him, having the eagerness to share what you know with others is what makes some people approachable and loved at work. The lack of selfishness creates greater bonds and also, you can learn from others as well—no one knows it all. 

‘You never know that the person you failed to assist with means to execute their tasks is the same person you would inquire knowledge or skills from, about something in the future. Work shouldn’t be all about unhealthy competitions, but rather, helping one another for the betterment of the company’s growth.’

Kalisa stresses that to create positivity—greet people with a smile, in case someone is smart or excels in something, offer them a compliment, that way, he believes that work would be fun for you and others as some people just want to hear positive compliments from others as a form of motivation. 

According to Indeed Career Guide, keep your head and eyes up when walking around the office or events. When you look up and ahead, it is easier to make eye contact with and greet people. Further, many people read your face to determine your approachability. If you are staring at the floor or your feet, they cannot assess your interest.

"Nod during conversations to show you are listening, paying attention and interested in what the other person is saying. Nodding shows you want to be talking to that individual. Nod gently and in moderation so that this nonverbal cue looks natural. Practice nodding when the other person says something you agree with.”