It’s the end of the work day, and the last thing you want to do is to go out for drinks with the bunch of people you just spent all day with. After all, they’re just going to be sitting around talking; it’s not like there’s any work being done right? Wrong.
While they won’t drag out their laptops for impromptu PowerPoints, they will be talking. They’ll be throwing out the casual details of their lives — spouses, children, hobbies, etc. They will be building relationships, and that plays into workplace productivity.
Employees who have friends at work experience a higher degree of work satisfaction, are more engaged in their work, are more likely to cooperate with innovative ideas from coworkers and have a higher chance of promotion, according to the Gallup Organization. Whether you’re an employee or an employer, that’s strong evidence for fostering positive relationships in the workplace.
What is a Positive Relationship?
Trust — When there is a high level of trust amongst coworkers, they are more relaxed. They can count on each other to complete their portion of the project. Managers are less likely to micromanage where trust exists.
Mutual Respect — When people who work together value one another’s opinions, they can collaborate more effectively and combine ideas to develop the best solutions more quickly.
Mindfulness — Pay attention to your interactions with people. Think before you speak and consider the impact your statement (or your tone of voice or phrasing) might have on the mood of the team.
Open-mindedness — Open-minded people welcome a diversity of new ideas without feeling their own value threatened. This leads to better, more open communication.
How To Develop Positive Working Relationships
Practice “Soft Skills” — Social skills are like any other talent you’d like to develop; the more you practice the easier it becomes. If you’re not naturally a gregarious person, make a point of interacting with coworkers, even if it’s just a short chit-chat in the hallway. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel.
Express Genuine Appreciation — Everyone likes to feel appreciated. Surprise parties and gift cards are great ways to celebrate a coworker’s impending retirement or birthday, but a heartfelt “thank you” for something as simple as taking out the trash can go a long way. Don’t overdo it, though; they key is to express appreciation honestly.
Seek First to Understand — Listen first. Don’t just wait for your turn to talk or start formulating your response. Positive relationships are built on people feeling heard.
Identify Your Own Needs — Relationships aren’t just about giving to others; think about what you need from people, too. Understanding yourself can help you better understand others.
You may or may not find your best friend at work, but in the very least, you can develop useful, positive relationships with your coworkers. Social time is not wasted time. In the end, it leads to more productivity, happier workplaces and, according to The New Medicine, longer, less-stressful lives.
Sources: mindtools.com, humorthatworks.com
Photo Credit: By Senado Federal – Fotos produzidas pelo Senado, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44376283