Forming and Maintaining Healthy Workplace Relationships
Handling Healthy Relationships at Work
Let’s face it: you spend a lot of time at work. With a large portion of your waking hours being spent in the office, it’s important to make relationships that matter. Like any setting, you won’t be best friends with everyone, but it’s important to manage every relationship to the best of your ability regardless. In this blog, E3 Consulting will address the importance of healthy workplace relationships, what makes good relationships, and our best tips for navigating them!
What Makes a Relationship Healthy
There are a lot of factors that make a workplace relationship good and beneficial.
Trust
For one, trust is important. This transcends many levels, being that you and your fellow employees should trust one another professionally as well as personally.
Respect
Respect is key in any relationship, and it goes without saying that it applies to people in the workplace too. Respect includes treating other people with politeness and kindness, minding their properties and space, and understanding that they are capable of doing their job well.
Communication
In the same vein as respect comes communication. Being open and honest is vital, but minding other people’s feelings is just as important. Be sure to utilize active listening, where you pay specific attention to a point any employee is making instead of simply waiting for your turn to speak.
However…
Sometimes, there are relationships that will never be beneficial. For instance, maybe you have an overly competitive coworker who doesn’t realize the detrimental effects of their actions. Understanding that not every relationship will be ideal is important, so that you can react appropriately and accordingly to protect your own mental health.
Our Tips
E3 Consulting has worked with a number of companies, and we know what makes good relationships in any office. Here’s a few of our best tips for creating and keeping healthy workplace relationships. Whether you’ve been in the workforce for years or it’s your first job, learning how to develop people skills takes plenty of time and practice.
Manage Boundaries
You know yourself best, and you know how close is too close. Avoid disclosing unnecessary information at work. Keep your relationships professional.
Take the First Step
It is everyone’s onus to improve friendships. In order to implement a better work environment, take the first step in reaching out, starting conversations, or making jokes. All of your fellow employees will appreciate it, and you’ll form new friendships.
The Golden Rule
We’ve all been taught, “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” When it comes to the office, the same goes. Offer what you want to receive: offer to grab snacks, water, or whatever has just recently been printed. Run errands, grab morning coffees, and generally be the friend you wish to have. Relationships will follow.
Utilize Small Interactions
When you’re at work, you’re probably most focused on your job and less on the people around you. Because of this, it’s important to make the most of small interactions. When someone talks about their weekend, make sure to mentally take note of their hobbies or connect with them where possible. Use short conversations to learn about people.
Recognize Need for Change
Sometimes, socializing in the workplace can be overwhelming. Take moments like these to separate yourself, by moving elsewhere in the office to work for the day. If staying at your desk is necessary, take 10 minutes to jot down your feelings. Feel free to use headphones if you need to zone out alone for a while. Distracting yourself from any existing workplace negativity is easy with the right tools, and necessary for your own personal productivity.
Use E3 Consulting
Our company is dedicated to giving you the best tools for mindfulness, health, and wellness. Our training programs build employee awareness and motivation in order to spur positive changes. Contact us today to find out how we can help improve your office!
