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In the Great Singapore Rat Race many of us find ourselves in, the workplace can be a highly competitive and stressful environment. As such, it is crucial to maintain good working relationships with our colleagues. After all, research shows that having good relations at work can determine our job satisfaction and overall wellbeing.
The more we cultivate good relationships with our co-workers, the more productive we can feel in our professional life. Our motivation at work is impacted by having good connections with others because we are reminded that we’re not alone, according to Harvard Business Review. Chances are, it will also help create better opportunities for your career when people want to work with you.
What does it mean to have a good working relationship? It means there’s mutual trust and respect, and there is honest and open communication. Some benefits of such strong work relationships includes effective teamwork, improved morale, increased productivity, increased job satisfaction and motivation, and also, better personal growth.
So how can we work towards building beneficial work relationships? Let’s look at some tips below.
1. Communicate authentically, effectively, and often
Effective communication is an important aspect of building relationships, and it involves listening as much as talking. Be receptive to other people’s words and respectfully consider their point of view before responding. This also includes your nonverbal communication signs, such as body language.
Healthy work relationships require consistent, honest and open communication to build that key element of trust. Being authentic means we can communicate the facts while still showing our support and understanding for co-workers, even in the face of mistakes. Having open communication ensures everyone has their voices heard.
Read Also: 7 Personal and Professional Qualities to be Popular at Work
2. Make time for your co-workers
We get it – after a long workday, sometimes we all just want to quickly head home and not deal with anything work-related, especially if you have responsibilities waiting for you. But socialising with colleagues is not about staying late to grab drinks together. You can also connect over lunch or simply by logging into that virtual meeting 10-15 minutes earlier to chat with colleagues about topics outside of work. Just taking a few moments out of our day to connect with others and see how they’re doing doesn’t take much, but it can have a huge impact. “Regular check-ins are so important. Even just for 10 minutes per day to say hi and even to speak about what we are having for lunch,” Hwei Loke said.
When you make time to build relationships and form personal connections, it makes work easier as there’s less tension and more camaraderie. Make time to socialise, even if you’re working from home, so the time you spend with colleagues isn’t 100% about work. Actively taking time to acknowledge our colleagues helps create an atmosphere of psychological safety. It’s also invaluable for maintaining positivity and a sense of community.
3. Show support and empathy for your team members
A great way to forge good relationships with your colleagues is to show them support. It goes a long way to show appreciation to your teammates by complimenting their work or bringing snacks for the team. If you’re in a senior position, focus on the achievements of your junior staff instead of their shortcomings. Supporting your colleagues also means showing empathy for whatever situations they are going through and actively listening to their concerns and stresses. You can also offer help to show you’re someone they can trust and depend on when they need assistance.
Hwei Loke, head of marketing for a media company, believes that being supportive is a by-product of building trust. “When someone knows they can trust you, even if you do make a mistake, they know it is never intentional and that you’ve acted in the company’s or their best interest. Once that trust is established, people can work towards having a good relationship that is built on a core basis of mutual respect,” she said.
Nurul Rasheed, a senior manager with a PR agency, also feels that building trust with the people she works with is key to fostering good relations. “I think it’s important that a relationship is built on trust because we know that we will not throw each other under the bus.”
4. Avoid gossip at all costs
Gossip and office politics only serve to create an unfriendly, untrustworthy work environment. If you want positive relationships to thrive, avoid it at all costs. When you hear gossip about a teammate, don’t participate or change the topic. If you have an issue with a colleague, try to first have an open and polite conversation with them or consider asking your superior to mitigate the situation. Having an open communication channel can help foster a more transparent work culture.
5. Be that positive ray of sunshine
We’re not saying you should fake it till you make it. It’s hard to stay positive at work all the time, especially when you’re dealing with a stressful time at work. But focusing on the positive can help encourage yourself and your colleagues to stay motivated.
Being positive also means publicly celebrating the achievements of others. It doesn’t have to be over the top; it could just be a casual comment in a (virtual) meeting or an email to the team. Showing appreciation to our peers for the contributions they make, big and small, not only makes them feel good but also inspires others to create a culture of support.
There’s never a better time than now to be a better colleague and co-worker. Never underestimate the power of good relationships!
