The relationships between our personal or family life and our working life are two-way and can have an impact on each other. Relationships we have in the workplace are a major part of our work—we spend 8–10 h of our waking hours in the office.
| |
When there is a balance in our relationships at home and work, we feeling vigorated and alive. Work-related difficulties and stresses can affect our personal and family well-being just as difficulties at home can affect our performances at work.
|
The types of difficulties that can affect work are very diverse and include:
|
- Relationship conflict, crisis and distress.
- Conflicts and stress with work colleagues—supervisor, employee work-mate, in a team.
- Decision making—home or work-related.
- Health-related stress, smoking, alcohol and drug use.
- Parenting issues.
- Family violence—emotional, physical, sexual abuse.
- Separation and divorce.
- Rebuilding after separation.
- Loss and grief.
- Adjusting to life transitions—children leaving home, retirement, etc.
- Sexual concerns.
| |
| | |
Effective workplace relationships
Building solid relationships with colleagues and managers is essential for growth in the workplace. If you do not have a good relationship or rapport with your colleagues/managers/subordinates, people will be less likely to achieve your goals. Some strategies to help build and manage positive relationships with your coworkers and managers: |
Communication
Communication abilities have the greatest impact on one’s reputation at work. Here are some tips for improving your communication skills: |
- Proof twice: Before sending an e-mail or submitting a project, be sure to proofread it for clarity and errors. Remember, computer spell-checkers do not catch all mistakes.
- Review messages: Ensure your tone of voice is friendly and your message is brief and to the point.
- Be courteous: Even though the work pace can often be frenetic, that is no excuse to check courtesy at the door. Remember to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’
- Check in: It is important to find out if your boss is satisfied with the number and type of updates you give. Both new and experienced employees should learn to adjust their style to their supervisors’ preferences, if necessary.
| |
| Diplomacy Regardless of the level of cooperation among colleagues, misunderstandings sometimes occur. Knowing how to react with diplomacy and tact in these situations can make you a more effective employee. In addition, how you handle an office dilemma can impact your future working relationships with coworkers and managers. |
The following suggestions can help you become a career diplomat in your office:
|
- See both sides: Get to know your colleagues and understand what motivates them. Be respectful of the pressures they may be under and be willing to temporarily set aside your own agenda to see things from their perspective. Before you ask for help on a project, determine whether your request will overburden an already-busy worker.
- Know office protocol: Be sensitive to your department’s traditional methods of doing things, especially when the workplace is unusually pressured. A company’s unwritten rules usually evolve out of precedent and are somewhat unique to the organization.
- Share credit generously: Whenever you report the results of a project in which you were one of several people involved, always use ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ in both your written and oral presentations.
- Use humor appropriately: A little humor on the job can help ease stress levels, maintain perspective and motivate others to do their best work. An employee with a good sense of humor is perceived as easy to work with and a welcome addition to a project team. Take your work seriously, but not yourself. And never try to score a laugh at someone’s expense.
| |
Image
Image refers to more than how you dress. Each action of yours is noted by your boss, colleagues and company and shapes your reputation. Here are some things to consider to achieve a polished and professional image:
|
- Extend courtesy: Being polite and respectful not only boosts your image, it builds consensus and helps projects move forward. Being courteous includes making realistic requests, starting meetings on time and not expecting others to solve your problems.
- Seek feedback: If you are not sure what image you project at work, ask a few people. Make sure you consult people who will be honest in their assessment. The information should provide direction for your image-building efforts.
- Avoid the rumor mill: Do not spread gossip or even listen to it.
- Adopt an owner’s mindset: Do not approach your work like an employee; look at it like you own the company and have a personal stake in the results of your projects. It is also critical to think of everyone as a customer, whether the person is a client or coworker. The quality of your work is likely to improve as a result.
| |
| The way you interact with others on the job is essential to your ultimate success. Although every work environment is different, making a sustained effort to communicate effectively, hone your diplomacy skills and project a polished image will help you build the solid working relationships so important to your career advancement. |