By Junias Erasmus
At work, people say many good things. They say, “We are a team.” They say, “I support you.” They say, “We value each other.” But the real truth is not in the words. The real answer is in how colleagues treat one another every day.
Someone can speak kindly to you but ignore your ideas in meetings. A colleague can say they support you but fail to help when you need assistance. Another person can praise you in public but compete unfairly behind your back. When words and actions do not match, believe the actions.
How colleagues treat you shows their real attitude. Do they respect your time? Do they share information openly? Do they give you credit for your work? Do they speak well of you when you are not there? These small actions show more than big speeches ever can. A healthy workplace is built on respect and fairness. Respect is not loud. It is simple. It is replying to messages. It is listening when someone speaks. It is helping without expecting something in return. It is celebrating a colleague’s success without jealousy.
Sometimes we get confused because people say the right things. We want to believe them. But instead of focusing on what they promise, watch what they do. If someone values you, they will show it through consistent actions. If they don’t, their behaviour will also show it clearly.
This lesson is not only about others. It is also about us. How do we treat our colleagues? Do we act with fairness? Do we support others honestly? Do our actions match our words? The same standard we expect from others should be the standard we live by.
At the end of the day, behaviour is the clearest message. Words can sound good, but actions tell the truth. If you ever feel unsure about where you stand with colleagues, look at how they treat you. Because the answer is always in how they treat you, not what they say.
Junias Erasmus is a financial sector professional and an Artificial Intelligence expert, serving on the AI Skills Development Advisory Committee. He is a Management Scientist and Operational Researcher, a Strategic Scholar, and a Motivational Speaker. This article is written in his personal capacity. For enquiries, he may be contacted at Junias99@gmail.com.
