Being well-liked and respected by your boss and coworkers can go a long way to finding happiness and satisfaction in the workplace. However, lasting respect has to be earned and gained over time, not overnight. To get started on earning the respect of the people around you, follow these six tips.

1 - Do your job

Concentrate on areas within your control. Instead of taking time to worry about what to do to make people like you, focus that energy into producing the best work possible. Be competent, be dependable, and put in the hard work. This is the most basic way to gain respect around the workplace. Everyone likes a person with a good work ethic.

2 - Appropriately budget your time

You know the saying - time is money. Use your time efficiently as well as respect other’s. Prepare ahead, stay organized, stick to schedules, and meet your deadlines. Be ready for anything your employer and peers might need from you. Anything from being late to a meeting to being late on a deadline can be costly.

3 - Respect everyone

In order to get respect, you have to give it. This should be a standard for everyone from the higher ups to the mail-delivery guy. Every interaction should be a polite and considerate one.

4 - Communicate and listen

Don’t assume. Reach out and connect with your coworkers and employer. Additionally, learn to listen and give your full attention. Everyone appreciates being heard even if it’s about weekend plans or details about an upcoming work event. People can tell when your focus isn’t with them and this gives off the signal that what they are saying isn’t important to you.

5 - Be willing to help

If you aren’t sure about something, saying “I don’t know” leaves the person asking at a dead end and doesn’t make you seem very willing to help. If you don’t know the answer to their question, offer to help them find the information they need or direct them to a person that can help.

6 - Ask for help

If you are really struggling with something, there is no shame in asking for a helping hand. Knowing your limits is an admirable quality. As long as you are consistently working hard, it’s okay to admit when something is too much for you to handle on your own. Asking for help can sometimes be your first step to problem solving. Your peers will appreciate that more than having to redo something or get it in late.

Use your actions and the way you carry yourself to reflect the impression you want to get across. Give respect and show that you are worthy of it.