Key Takeaway:
- Good work relationships not only helps building a successful career but also enhances our health and well-being.
- Positive work relationships can be built upon trust, friendliness and likeability.
“[… ] the quality of relationships at work determines the actual quality of our work and our overall ability to succeed.” (E. Perel) [1]
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Similar to the relationship to our spouse and friends, bonding with colleagues in a trusting, collaborative and positive environment and feeling valued and respected at work have been perceived as benefitting for our health and well-being. Besides, there are other work related benefits:
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To benefit from good work relationships, one has to establish and maintain them. These three tips can support you in developing those social ties at work:
- Show genuine interest.
- Be easy to get along with.
- Be encouraging and appreciative. [5]
Action Item:
Point out something what you value most in your colleague and tell him or her.
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- Perel, E. (2019). Esther Perel on Workplace Dynamics | SXSW 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PqWQl2AJpQ
- Mastroianni, K. & Storberg-Walker, J. (2014). Do work relationships matter? Characteristics of workplace interactions that enhance or detract from employee perceptions of well-being and health behaviors. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine: an Open Access Journal, 2(1)
- Heaphy, E. D. & Dutton, J. E. (2008). Positive social interactions and the human body at work: Linking organizations and physiology. Academy of management review, 33(1)
- MindTools. (n.a.). Building Good Work Relationships. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/good-relationships.htm
- Lyon, A. (2018). How to Build Relationships at Work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Wq6UN5Odw
More sources on the topic:
- Taylor-Cummings, A. & Taylor-Cummings, J. (2019). 4 Habits of ALL Successful Relationships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Y5Mr8rZ9A
- White, C. (2019). 3 ways to create a work culture that brings out the best in employees | Chris White | TEDxAtlanta. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y8SA6cLUys
- Heathfield, S. M. (2021). How to Develop Effective Work Relationships. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/developing-effective-work-relationships-1919386
- Barker-Caza, B., Olekalns, M. & Vogus, T.J. (2020). How to Mend a Work Relationship. https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-mend-a-work-relationship
- Prossack, A. (2021). 4 Ways To Build Stronger Workplace Relationships. https://www.forbes.com/sites/ashiraprossack1/2021/03/30/4-ways-to-build-stronger-workplace-relationships/
- Garg, A. (n.a.). 10 Ways to Build Positive And Effective Work Relationships. https://www.lifehack.org/816311/work-relationship
- Gallo, A. (2015). How to Build the Social Ties You Need at Work. https://hbr.org/2015/09/how-to-build-the-social-ties-you-need-at-work