How to build strong relationships at work

March 7, 2022
|
Career growth
How to build strong relationships at work

Building strong relationships with your colleagues and clients is crucial for your success. Learn these 5 tips to build relationships at work.Studies show that those who maintain good relationships with their coworkers are more satisfied in their job. Every day most of us spend at least 8 hours at work. During this time, we interact with many different stakeholders.We come across different personalities. Sometimes, this can be a challenge. We may not have many things in common and we can often disagree on a specific situation.However, when we have strong work relationships, everything seems much easier. Importantly, we feel fulfilled and satisfied. This affects our productivity at work and quality of life in general. So, we should strive to build strong relationships at work.

Why you should build strong relationships at work?

Building strong relationships at work is one of the most important aspects of our job. There are so many reasons for this. Firstly, it produces higher quality output. When there are good working relationships, people work better together and the quality of the work is higher.Secondly, good working relationships contribute to better morale in the workplace. Conflicts are better handled when there are strong relationships at work. Everyone learns to treat each other with kindness and respect. So, employees are much happier and more productive. The workplace becomes a space of good work culture.Thirdly, productivity and work satisfaction are higher. People tend to be more productive when they have strong relationships in the workplace. They enjoy being effective when working together as a team. That leads to increased motivation and job satisfaction.Finally, strong work relationships lead to improvement of personal growth. If you get along with others, you aren’t going to have a difficult time. So, you can use this to focus on personal growth. Moreover, you will be more open to learning from others.But how do you build strong relationships at work? Read these 5 tips and learn how to build and maintain good relationships at work and find ways to work with people that you don’t get along with.

1. Be open and honest

All good relationships begin with open and honest communication. We communicate in many different ways. It’s very important to develop a communication style that is effective. Whether we are talking face to face, on the phone, through messages, or emails, it’s important to practice honesty and openness.Take time to think about what goals you have with your communication. Try to use clear and precise language to ensure there are no misunderstandings. If problems arise, be open and honest about them. Discuss them with the other person and work on finding a common solution.We spend one-third of our lives with our coworkers. We speak to them often. So, take the time necessary to become an open and honest communicator. Openness and honesty will help you become a confident and assertive communicator.

2. Listen actively

Becoming an active listener requires patience and a deep sense of curiosity. It’s a process in which you listen to understand the message of the speaker. Active listening is a skill worth developing. It helps you gain people’s trust quickly and trust is vital in business development.Always pay attention to what is being said. Learn to be present in the conversation.You need to remain neutral during the process. So, don’t be judgmental. Avoid taking sides or being very opinionated. Try to do this throughout the conversation. Your partner will value your interaction more.Finally, try to not interrupt the person you’re listening to while they speak. After all, active listening is all about patience.

3. Show that you appreciate others

We all value appreciation. We want to contribute to our environment. Most people enjoy being helped and helping others. So, show your appreciation when your colleagues help you. If someone is helping you with a big project, say thanks! If someone is giving you advice, show respect.Thanking your clients should be your standard practice. Let them know that you care.

4. Develop your soft skills

Soft skills are very important in business development. They include your personality, attitude, flexibility, and motivation. Often, employers decide whether to keep or offer a higher position to an employee based on these skills.When it comes to your soft skills, think about your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself and think about the areas you need to work on. Be confident by kindly showing your strengths during a conversation.Maintaining good relations requires continuous communication. So, reserve some time to speak to your coworkers face to face each day. It can be a couple of minutes a day. Show interest in what your colleagues are saying. Be curious and attentive to what they say.In this way, you develop a positive attitude at your workplace. This is important. So, try to be friendly to your colleagues and clients. Stay eager to work and pleasant to be around. It can be challenging to work under pressure, but keeping a positive attitude can be life-changing. People value positivity. They are drawn to those that make them feel good.So, if you develop a positive mindset, more colleagues will want to befriend you.

5. Avoid gossiping to build strong relationships at work

If you want to build strong relationships at work, avoid gossiping.When you hear others gossiping about another coworker, don’t join them. In case you’re already included in a conversation where gossiping started, try to change the subject. Or simply get back to your own personal work.If you have an argument or issue with a colleague, try to have a polite and open conversation with that person. Present your argument in a constructive and logical way. Work together on finding a solution.If things don’t work out, arrange a meeting with a manager. In this way, you show respect to the person. But, you also approach your work relationships with the right professional attitude.Join our personalized learning platform and learn how to build strong relationships at work!

Building strong relationships with your colleagues and clients is crucial for your success. Learn these 5 tips to build relationships at work.

Studies show that those who maintain good relationships with their coworkers are more satisfied in their job. Every day most of us spend at least 8 hours at work. During this time, we interact with many different stakeholders.

We come across different personalities. Sometimes, this can be a challenge. We may not have many things in common and we can often disagree on a specific situation.

However, when we have strong work relationships, everything seems much easier. Importantly, we feel fulfilled and satisfied. This affects our productivity at work and quality of life in general. So, we should strive to build strong relationships at work.

Why you should build strong relationships at work?

Building strong relationships at work is one of the most important aspects of our job. There are so many reasons for this. Firstly, it produces higher quality output. When there are good working relationships, people work better together and the quality of the work is higher.

Secondly, good working relationships contribute to better morale in the workplace. Conflicts are better handled when there are strong relationships at work. Everyone learns to treat each other with kindness and respect. So, employees are much happier and more productive. The workplace becomes a space of good work culture.

Thirdly, productivity and work satisfaction are higher. People tend to be more productive when they have strong relationships in the workplace. They enjoy being effective when working together as a team. That leads to increased motivation and job satisfaction.

Finally, strong work relationships lead to improvement of personal growth. If you get along with others, you aren’t going to have a difficult time. So, you can use this to focus on personal growth. Moreover, you will be more open to learning from others.

But how do you build strong relationships at work? Read these 5 tips and learn how to build and maintain good relationships at work and find ways to work with people that you don’t get along with.

1. Be open and honest

All good relationships begin with open and honest communication. We communicate in many different ways. It’s very important to develop a communication style that is effective. Whether we are talking face to face, on the phone, through messages, or emails, it’s important to practice honesty and openness.

Take time to think about what goals you have with your communication. Try to use clear and precise language to ensure there are no misunderstandings. If problems arise, be open and honest about them. Discuss them with the other person and work on finding a common solution.

We spend one-third of our lives with our coworkers. We speak to them often. So, take the time necessary to become an open and honest communicator. Openness and honesty will help you become a confident and assertive communicator.

2. Listen actively

Becoming an active listener requires patience and a deep sense of curiosity. It’s a process in which you listen to understand the message of the speaker. Active listening is a skill worth developing. It helps you gain people’s trust quickly and trust is vital in business development.

Always pay attention to what is being said. Learn to be present in the conversation.

You need to remain neutral during the process. So, don’t be judgmental. Avoid taking sides or being very opinionated. Try to do this throughout the conversation. Your partner will value your interaction more.

Finally, try to not interrupt the person you’re listening to while they speak. After all, active listening is all about patience.

3. Show that you appreciate others

We all value appreciation. We want to contribute to our environment. Most people enjoy being helped and helping others. So, show your appreciation when your colleagues help you. If someone is helping you with a big project, say thanks! If someone is giving you advice, show respect.

Thanking your clients should be your standard practice. Let them know that you care.

4. Develop your soft skills

Soft skills are very important in business development. They include your personality, attitude, flexibility, and motivation. Often, employers decide whether to keep or offer a higher position to an employee based on these skills.

When it comes to your soft skills, think about your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself and think about the areas you need to work on. Be confident by kindly showing your strengths during a conversation.

Maintaining good relations requires continuous communication. So, reserve some time to speak to your coworkers face to face each day. It can be a couple of minutes a day. Show interest in what your colleagues are saying. Be curious and attentive to what they say.

In this way, you develop a positive attitude at your workplace. This is important. So, try to be friendly to your colleagues and clients. Stay eager to work and pleasant to be around. It can be challenging to work under pressure, but keeping a positive attitude can be life-changing. People value positivity. They are drawn to those that make them feel good.

So, if you develop a positive mindset, more colleagues will want to befriend you.

5. Avoid gossiping to build strong relationships at work

If you want to build strong relationships at work, avoid gossiping.

When you hear others gossiping about another coworker, don’t join them. In case you’re already included in a conversation where gossiping started, try to change the subject. Or simply get back to your own personal work.

If you have an argument or issue with a colleague, try to have a polite and open conversation with that person. Present your argument in a constructive and logical way. Work together on finding a solution.

If things don’t work out, arrange a meeting with a manager. In this way, you show respect to the person. But, you also approach your work relationships with the right professional attitude.

Join our personalized learning platform and learn how to build strong relationships at work!

Be the first in the know!

Subscribe to our newsletter and get practical, BD tips directly in your inbox!
WELCOME! Check your inbox to get your first business development tip 🚀
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.