Relationships at work

Relationships at work refer to the connections among employees, managers and organizational stakeholders. These relationships encompass the attitudes, behaviors, and experiences that employees have with each other, their supervisors, and the organization as a whole. These relationships can be positive, characterized by collaboration and support, or negative, characterized by tension and conflict. Effective relationships at work are essential for workplace productivity, job satisfaction and organizational success. They involve mutual trust, respect, communication, and problem-solving, as well as a shared commitment to meeting organizational goals.

Example of relationships at work

• Employee-employee relationships: A positive employee-employee relationship can foster collaboration and teamwork, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. For example, two employees working together in the same department may develop a strong relationship based on mutual respect and shared values. This could result in them being more likely to collaborate on projects and troubleshoot problems together.
• Manager-employee relationships: A positive manager-employee relationship is essential for employee engagement and job satisfaction. For example, if a manager takes the time to listen to an employee’s concerns and takes their feedback into consideration, the employee will feel supported and respected. This could lead to improved morale and productivity.
• Employer-employee relationships: Effective employer-employee relationships are critical for organizational success. For example, if an employer is supportive of their employees’ professional development and provides them with opportunities to grow, the employees will be more likely to stay with the organization longer and be more engaged in their work.

When to use relationships at work

Relationships at work are important for all organizations and should be cultivated in order to ensure success. They can be used in a variety of ways, such as:

• Developing trust between colleagues and supervisors: Building trust between colleagues and supervisors is essential for a healthy working environment. This includes fostering open communication, providing support and recognition, and resolving conflicts in a respectful manner.
• Enhancing collaboration and productivity: By developing strong relationships between employees, teams can work together more effectively, leading to increased productivity and innovation.
• Strengthening organizational culture: Healthy relationships between employees can help create a positive organizational culture that encourages employees to contribute to the success of the organization.
• Improving job satisfaction: Positive relationships at work can help increase employee job satisfaction and morale, leading to increased retention and engagement.
• Supporting diversity and inclusion: Fostering relationships among diverse employees can help create an inclusive workplace culture that values and respects different perspectives.

Types of relationships at work

Relationships at work can be divided into several different types, including interpersonal relationships, supervisor-subordinate relationships, team relationships, and organizational relationships.

• Interpersonal relationships refer to the connections between individuals within an organization, such as coworkers, managers, and other stakeholders. These relationships are based on mutual trust, respect, and communication.
• Supervisor-subordinate relationships involve the interactions between a manager and their direct reports. This type of relationship requires the supervisor to provide guidance, support, and feedback to ensure that their subordinates are meeting organizational goals.
• Team relationships refer to the connections between members of a team or workgroup. These relationships involve collaboration, communication, and problem-solving to ensure that the team is working together to achieve its goals.
• Organizational relationships refer to the connections between an organization and its external stakeholders, such as customers, vendors, and government entities. These relationships require the organization to ensure that these stakeholders’ needs are being met.

Steps of creating good relationships at work

• Establishing Connections: Building relationships at work starts with establishing connections with coworkers. This includes introducing oneself, engaging in small talk, and building rapport. It’s important to remember that building relationships is an ongoing process and requires open communication.
• Showing Respect: Respect is key to successful relationships. It involves treating coworkers with courtesy and kindness, being mindful of their feelings, and being willing to listen and consider their opinions.
• Resolving Conflict: Conflict is inevitable in any relationship. To resolve conflicts quickly and effectively, it’s important to remain open to different perspectives and to focus on solutions rather than blame.
• Promoting Collaboration: Relationships at work can be strengthened by promoting collaboration among coworkers. This involves working together to achieve a common goal and valuing each other’s contributions.
• Nurturing Trust: Trust is essential to any relationship. It involves being honest and reliable, respecting confidentiality, and being consistent in words and actions.
• Recognizing Achievements: Recognizing and celebrating individual and team achievements is an important way to build relationships. Acknowledging successes, both big and small, helps to build morale and motivate employees.

Advantages of relationships at work

Relationships at work can provide a variety of benefits to employees and the organization, including:

• Increased productivity: Positive relationships at work can foster collaboration and increase motivation, which can lead to higher levels of productivity.
• Improved communication: Effective communication is essential for successful collaboration and collaboration can improve communication.
• Enhanced job satisfaction: When employees enjoy positive relationships with their coworkers, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job and stay with the organization.
• Increased trust: When employees trust each other and their supervisors, it can lead to better problem-solving and a greater sense of unity and commitment to the organization's mission.
• Greater innovation: When people have a supportive and open environment, they are more likely to come up with creative solutions to problems.
• Reduced workplace conflict: When employees have good relationships, it can reduce the amount of tension and conflict in the workplace.

Limitations of relationships at work

The limitations of relationships at work include:

• Conflicts of Interest: Relationships at work can be negatively impacted by conflicts of interest between employees and managers. This can occur when an employee has a personal relationship with their supervisor, or when an employee’s interests conflict with those of the organization.
• Lack of Trust: When trust is absent in the workplace, relationships can quickly deteriorate. Employees may hesitate to share information or offer constructive criticism, leading to a breakdown in collaboration.
• Miscommunication: Miscommunication can lead to misunderstandings, which can create a rift in relationships at work. Without clear communication, employees may not understand the goals and expectations of the organization, or the needs of their colleagues.
• Unhealthy Competition: Unhealthy competition between employees can disrupt relationships at work, leading to resentment and bitterness. This can lead to employees withholding information, or even sabotaging their colleagues.
• Unresolved Issues: When issues remain unresolved, relationships at work can be strained. This can create a feeling of cynicism and mistrust, undermining collaboration and productivity.

Relationships at work — recommended articles

Importance of trust — Compassion and care — Types of trust — Low power distance — Informational social influence — Team trust — Emotion and motivation — Sense of belonging — Positive and negative emotions

References

• Ferris, G. R., Liden, R. C., Munyon, T. P., Summers, J. K., Basik, K. J., & Buckley, M. R. (2009). Relationships at work: Toward a multidimensional conceptualization of dyadic work relationships. Journal of management, 35(6), 1379-1403.