7 WAYS TO BUILD STRONG, POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK
It goes without saying that the better our relationships at work, the happier, more engaged and productive we will be. Instead of focusing our energy on dealing with the problems that come with negative relationships, we can harness our energy positively to allow us to be more creative and the freedom to focus on opportunities.
Here are seven ways to help build strong and positive relationships in the workplace.
1. Open and honest communication
All good relationships rely on honest and open communication. We communicate in many ways whether we are face to face, sending texts or emails and it is very important to consider how we communicate. Take time to consider what outcome you want from your communication and use clear and precise language to ensure there is no misunderstanding. The better and more effectively we communicate with those we work with, the more positive and successful the relationship will be.
2. Show appreciation
Genuinely show your appreciation when others help you, whether it is a colleague who has helped you on a difficult project or the junior who has made you a cup of coffee. Everyone likes appreciation and wants to feel as if they are making a worthwhile contribution. A little genuine praise goes a long way to developing good working relationships.
3. Active listening
Focus on taking the time to really listen to your colleagues and clients and see how people will positively respond to you in return. Active listening is a skill worth consciously developing as you will find that it will help you quickly gain people's trust.
4. Be positive
People like to be around positive people. Positivity is contagious and people are drawn to others that demonstrate positivity. It creates energy and will strengthen your relationships both with your colleagues and clients.
5. Develop your people skills
Think about what your strengths and weaknesses are when it comes to your people skills. Be honest and consider which areas you may benefit from working on. Make some time to speak to colleagues face to face each day, where possible even if it is only for five minutes. Keep building relationships and show your interest.
6. Be clear about your needs
Understand what you need from your colleagues and also think about what they need from you. It sounds like common sense but it is worth taking time to consider. Communicating these needs can simplify and strengthen relationships and eliminate misunderstandings. It can also help you progress up the career path if you are clear about your intentions and aspirations.
7. Respect
Respecting the people you work with means that you value their views and ideas. This will enable effective and creative working relationships that will benefit both parties. This will also enable you to welcome diverse opinions from colleagues and consider what they have to say.
For a successful career you need to build positive and healthy relationships with your colleagues, clients and other stakeholders in your organisation. Think about your working relationships and how you can build and maintain stronger relationships that will help you to feel more engaged, open doors to new opportunities and promotion. After all, the more you put into building positive relationships, the more you will get back.
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