In the process of creating connections with our work associates, we have different ways and methods in doing it. But it all starts out in getting to know the people around you. Even at this initial step we already have our own styles in building relationships at work. The advantages of being able to socialize and get along well with people we work with are so outstanding that it can even easily bring the person up the higher level in the hierarchy and contribute to a huge success in the business.
We employ different strategies but we aim for a relationship that can survive through the odds and difficulties along the way. In the work setting, we strive to establish a professional affiliation with our colleagues, bosses, and our clients or customers. But in a more common situation, employee to employee relationship can go beyond professional aspect. This is because the daily encounter and interaction at work develops a bond of friendship among individuals that extends even after work. Since one of the essences of a relationship is constant communication, the sharing of daily work experiences and going through the challenges together deepens the bond of the people.
In order to achieve not just a professional but also a genuine and healthy relationship in our career, here are some helpful strategies to guide you in your relationship-building process.
Choosing Who to Trust
While we are encouraged to be in a cordial relationship with everyone at work for a comfortable working environment, it is more crucial to choose the people whom to offer your trust. The common cliché people say that it is never a good thing to trust just about anyone is definitely true. If you easily give it trust to any individual in the workplace, you are risking yourself to a situation wherein good relationships will not be formed.
Give your trust to the people you closely work with. Even at that, it is a lot wiser to be pickier in offering your trust to these people. Trust those who are sincere in their actions and intentions at work with you.
Trust those who unfailingly meet your expectations. Trust those who are most honest in their work. These individuals are also more than willing to offer you their trust that is why they act in manners that seem appealing for the value of trust.
Using Talents and Strengths to Build Productive Relationships
An effective strategy in building relationships at work is applying your skills and strengths as one of your greatest work contributions. Different individual talents and abilities allow us to create a connection with others in various ways.
If you have the knack for positivity and maximizing other talents, you can easily form relationships with coworkers who are hungry for learning, developing, or aiming to finish an important project. If you possess the talent in connecting with people easily, you build a good connection with those who need motivation and those who wish to create healthy and productive relationships.
A self-assurance talent empowers you to establish that relationship easily. You attract people who needed confidence-boosting and sense of direction. As you use your talents to help people develop their full potentials in their career, you are also building healthy and productive bonds with them in the process.
Be Mutually Active in the Relationship
The nature of any good quality relationship is a give-and-take process. You decide to affiliate yourself with trusted work colleagues because you know that both of you can benefit from the bonding at work. However, if the motive is to benefit from the person’s strengths, you are using the person and taking advantage of the situation. Such motive surely ruins a relationship.
A genuine relationship does not always expect anything in return for any favor given. If your boss assigns you for a role that requires leadership skills, do not expect any form of reward for performing what was asked of you. In time, your outstanding work performance will be recognized.
Some relationships fail because there is no mutual sharing in the bond. People tend to forget that sometimes we need to give in to other people’s demands to satisfy the relationship. Any sincere and honest individual will surely repay the kindness and caring you have offered for the nurtured relationship.
