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How To Build Positive Relationships in the Workplace

Humans need to connect with people around them socially, that’s why the human is called “social animal”. And this need to connect applies everywhere, including the workplace.

When people have a good relationship with their colleagues, they are happier, more engaged with work, and more productive. That’s why it is essential to build positive relationships with your colleagues, and this will benefit you, your team and the whole organisation.

What are the characteristics of a good relationship?

  • Trust – trust is the base of successful and healthy relationships. Where there is trust, transparency follows. Furthermore, work and communication are done more effectively.
  • Respect – when there is mutual respect between employees they value each other’s opinions and ideas. This leads to effective collaboration, problem-solving, and teamwork.
  • Mindfulness- mindful employees are careful when they speak and are excellent listeners. They value others as much as they value themselves and emphasise on a positive relationship.

How to build a positive relationship?

  1. Good communication

Open communication is key for a healthy relationship between people since it fosters friendship and builds trust.

However, there’s one big problem with communication. People easily assume that the person ahead of them is understanding what they’re saying, but this is now always true. That’s why taking feedback is crucial for communication.

  1. Give constructive feedback

As important as it is to take feedback from other people, it is also important to give your feedback. It is not just you who needs feedback but also your colleagues, to understand how well they are performing.

Giving feedback will help people to progress in their work and skills. However, you should do it at the right time and in the right way to help them advance.

  1. Listening

Sometimes people act that they are listening, but in reality, their mind is somewhere else, and they aren’t engaged in the topic, thus they miss out important information. This should be avoided to have a positive relationship.

It’s a good idea to practice active listening when you talk to your customers, colleagues, friends and so on. People respond to those who truly listen to what they have to say. Focus on listening more than you talk, and you’ll quickly become known as someone who can be trusted.

  1. Appreciate your colleagues

Appreciating your co-workers is one of the best ways to build a healthy relationship. Always show appreciation when a colleague helps you out, or someone has achieved something great in the organisation. Everyone, from your boss to the office cleaner, wants to feel that their work is appreciated. This will boost their morale, and it will help you to bond well with people.

  1. Acknowledge your mistakes

Mistakes happen can always occur and that’s a normal thing in life and work. And if you blame someone else, fir your mistakes you will tarnish the name of your colleagues and your own. Thus, the wisest thing you can do is to admit the mistakes you’ve made.

Furthermore, think of what caused the mistakes and how to fix them. Don’t forget that you can always ask for help if needed.

  1. Learn to be responsible

Passing on your workload might be required when you are overburdened with work. However, when entrusted with a job, you should try to accept it as your responsibility and avoid putting it off to someone else.

Putting off work all the time will create a block between you and your co-workers, they even may start avoiding communicating with you at all. When you work in a team, you must cooperate and build a positive relationship with your teammates.

  1. Identify your relationship needs

Look at your own relationship needs – do you know what you need from others? And do you know what they need from you?

It’s a good idea to think about what kind of attitude your co-workers need and want. For example, some people have to be reminded about tasks (if you work together on some project), while others hate when someone reminds them about work tasks because they have their schedule.

Understanding the needs of your co-workers can be instrumental in building better relationships.

  1. Schedule time to build relationships

Dedicate a part of your day towards relationship building, even if it’s just for 20 minutes. For example, you could go for lunch with someone with whom you don’t talk much, reply to people’s social posts, or ask a colleague out for a cup of coffee.

These little interactions help in building a good relationship, especially if they’re face-to-face.

  1. Be positive

Focus on being positive. Positivity is attractive and contagious, and it will help strengthen your relationships with your colleagues. No one wants to be around negative and pessimistic people.

Try to always look for the good things in bad situations and cheer up your colleagues, when they don’t feel okay. People love when someone makes them smile and laugh, especially when they’re feeling sad about something.

  1. Don’t gossip

Gossiping is a major relationship killer at work. If you’re having a conflict with someone – talk to them directly about the problem. Gossiping about the situation with other colleagues will make the situation worse, and will cause mistrust between you.

Furthermore, when talking with your colleagues in person and explaining your thoughts, there’s a great chance to solve the problem and even improve your relationship.

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