Supporting a coworker doesn’t mean doing their job for them.

The reality of being that much-desired good team player is that we have to be amenable and helpful to our colleagues. Like it or not, most employers expect those who work for them to bring this kind of attitude. Depending on what coworkers we end up with, it can be a struggle.

Still, there are definite benefits to being the individual who gets along with those in the workplace. When your colleagues like you, it generally makes a job easier—unless they wind up having an ulterior motive that you are going to pay a price for. Sometimes, differentiating between the support that is all part of the job and that which is going to get you nowhere isn’t easy. People can be sneaky and try to take advantage of the generosity that those they work with may feel required to give.