The mere thought of working with someone I don’t like irks me. Humans are social beings; little wonder, we thrive in a friendly environment. See why the need for relationship building at work can’t be overemphasized? As early as 1999, a study conducted by the Gallup Organization revealed that the creation of quality workspaces is dependent on the number of workers who have “good friends” at work.
Still, wondering why it’s so important to develop a good relationship with your boss and colleagues? Or are you trying to figure out how to build an enviable relationship with your coworkers? You are about to find out. Get strapped in, and let’s dive right in.
Winning the Battle for Every Space Within Your Workplace
I agree that getting along with everyone at work isn’t all pomp and pageantry, but necessary. Maintaining a good relationship with your coworkers creates a conducive workplace ambiance (now tell me how you won’t get your job done?). It also breeds creativity and the exchange of innovative ideas. Who wouldn’t want to work in a place like that?
Nothing boosts the confidence of a team more than the ability to get things done. A healthy work relationship aids rapid delivery and multiplies productivity! Building great relationships at work isn’t a tough row to hoe if you follow these proven tips.
Have you ever considered that there is a minuscule chance that your workplace relationships are in a rut because of you? Trust me, taking deliberate actions to develop camaraderie at your workplace will go a long way.
I find my workspace more conducive when I like everyone I work with. The fact that you are reading this shows we have the same preference.
Well, you are in luck; I have 6 tested and trusted strategies for you. These strategies are fundamental to building great relationships at work:
- Proffer Solutions and Make Things Happen
It’s facile to be reactive, but a proactive employee is the favorite of any boss. Every boss values an employee that takes the initiative. Why? Because proactive people envisage the barriers, a problem will forge and proffer a solution before it even shows up! They find a solution and make something happen!
Your boss doesn’t want a repetition of a problem; he needs probable solutions. Even your colleagues will adore you for saving their asses during teamwork. Develop this trait, and relationships with your coworkers will get fixed in no time.
- Be Reliable and Accountable
Building good relationships at work is also dependent on how reliable you are. The “it’s not my job” mentality is hazardous to your career. Accountability is largely about taking responsibility and doing what’s right for your workplace. Accountability is crucial in creating an effective and highly functional workplace.
The truth is, if you rely on coworkers to pick up your slack and pull your weight, they can never love working with you! No one likes cleaning up after people. Pull your weight, and stay accountable! Development and answerability are inextricably linked. If your boss sees you as a threat to business development, you may end up getting fired.
To become more accountable, you need to pay attention to clarity. Highlight your responsibilities and set your goals with obvious metrics. When you don’t have a clear understanding of what is expected, you can’t be accountable. Master the art of accountability; only then can your workplace relationships thrive.
3. Give Constructive and Actionable Feedback
You don’t necessarily have to manage an organization before you learn to give constructive feedback. These days, the ability to deliver actionable and constructive feedback comes in handy during team projects. Giving feedback sounds pretty effortless, but it’s easier said than done. Learn it while you can!
To give actionable criticisms, you need to take note of these things:
- Strike a balance between positive and negative feedback: Don’t drift from reality, but don’t forget to appreciate the effort you put into the work or idea. Even if you have negative feedback, throw in a few positive remarks to neutralize the blow. If your remark is positive, don’t forget to state the possibility of achieving greater feats. The baseline is, maintain a sincere and balanced view.
- Feedbacks are based on your observations, don’t stray from the main essence of feedbacks! State your observations and don’t attempt to give an interpretation of people’s actions. Give them a chance to respond and paint a clearer view of what their actions mean.
- Specificity is important while building good relationships with coworkers and your boss. It’s also a key element that shouldn’t be missing in your feedback.
4. Develop Mutual Respect
Building a good relationship with coworkers and your boss requires open-mindedness. Everyone has different opinions and diverse standpoints. Someone else’s perspective might be the missing piece of a puzzle, so everyone’s opinion counts! Value your colleague’s insight and input, and they will also return the favor. Your combined inputs and creativity can create an exceptional remedy to a problem.
Trust is a big deal while dealing with colleagues at work. Most often than not, the issue of trust in a work environment births a chicken and egg situation. Do you trust your colleagues before they prove themselves or after?
The truth is, your trust shouldn’t be dependent on what your coworker can or can’t do. Even though this is crucial, it shouldn’t be the fundamental basis of your trust.
5. Be fair, honest, and open
Building relationships with your boss can’t work without honesty. Transparency in a workplace aids self-accountability and effectiveness. Be open about your ideas and grievances to your boss and coworkers. Nothing clears the air like frequently airing your opinions to your colleagues and your boss when you can. Never talk down to your coworker for whatsoever reason, because you are a team! And a team is meant to make up for each other’s flaws — always. Be fair at all times.
6. Learn from Other’s Experience
Be open to learning from other people’s experiences because It helps you avert errors. Learning from the experience of others at your workplace makes you more reliable and deliberate. This is another effective way to develop a connected relationship at your workplace. Partner with an experienced coworker when you need to and acquire the necessary skill to tackle a problem.
Conclusion
Imagine having to deal with an overbearing colleague at work daily; that would be awful! Climbing up the ladder of your career might be slightly arduous if your boss never sees any good in everything you do! In the long run, your work achievements can only be wrapped up in one factor; the kind of relationship you have forged at work. If you really want to be firing on all cylinders, then become deliberate about developing excellent relationships at work! Make it your daily routine to act on the proven strategies for building good relationships! And watch your career shoot for the sky.
