The Subtle Habits That Make People Want to Work With You
Readtime: 4 minutes
We all know what makes someone difficult to work with.
But what about the opposite?
Where you instantly think:
“Yes, I’d definitely work with them again.”
It’s rarely about their CV.
It’s not because they’re the most senior.
And it’s definitely not because they shout the loudest.
There’s just something about them that feels easy.
Like you can relax a bit when they’re around.
I’ve been paying attention to what creates that feeling.
And I’ve noticed a handful of quiet habits that come up again and again.
The kind of things that make people say:
“I don’t know what it is, I just like working with them.”
Here are five of the best ones.
How many do you recognise in yourself?
1. They stay calm when it counts
When things get a bit tense – tight deadline, tricky call, project going wrong – they don’t add to the noise.
They don’t panic in group chats.
They don’t ramp up the stress in the room.
They’re composed without being cold.
Confident without being controlling.
Grounded without being passive.
They help the room feel like, “OK, we’ve got this.”
2. They close the loop
They follow through.
They don’t go quiet.
They don’t make you chase them.
They don’t leave things open that could easily be closed.
Sometimes it’s just a one-line message:
“All sorted now.”
“Let me handle that.”
“We’re good, I’ll update the doc.”
Short phrases. Huge impact.
It shows you they’re on it.
3. They read the room
They don’t just share useful ideas.
They know when to share them.
They consider the timing.
They sense the tone of the room.
They adapt how they communicate – depending on who they’re speaking to, and what’s needed.
They might send a quick message instead of calling a meeting.
Or raise a suggestion in private before saying it in front of 12 people.
It’s emotional intelligence.
And it makes others feel understood, not overwhelmed.
4. They make you feel smart
Not small. Not insecure.
Not like you’ve missed something obvious.
They give credit.
They ask thoughtful questions.
They make space for others to contribute.
And they make you feel capable, not defensive.
You walk away feeling just a little bit better about yourself.
5. They treat every interaction like it matters
They’re just as respectful with the intern as they are with the CEO.
They say thank you. They listen properly. They show up on time.
They don’t switch it on for certain people, and off for others.
They’re consistent, considerate, and reliable.
Not for show. Just because it’s who they are.
In Summary
You don’t need to be loud to be trusted.
You don’t need to be flashy to be respected.
People remember how you make them feel, especially when things are unclear, messy, or a bit stressful.
So if you want to be the kind of person people love to work with:
– Stay calm when others can’t
– Follow through without needing a reminder
– Read the room before you speak
– Make others feel better about themselves
– Be thoughtful, with everyone
These are small habits.
But they have a big ripple effect.
On a Personal Note
I’ve coached some incredible people – senior leaders, founders, future stars.
Before we start, I often speak to a few of their colleagues.
Just to get a sense of what they’re like to work with.
When people say things like:
– “They just make things easier.”
– “It always feels better when they’re around.”
– “I love working with them.”
It’s usually the clearest signal that someone’s really good.
And, because they’ve got these fundamentals right, that they’ll keep being successful.
One Quote to Get You Going
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
That’s all for today.
See you in a couple of weeks,
Mostyn
P.S. If you’re thinking about a big career change, so that you can be happier and more fulfilled, I designed Atomic Ambition for you.
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