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Work Relationships

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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]
Youtube: Esther Perel - Esther Perel on Workplace Dynamics | SXSW 2019
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What are the benefits from good work relationships

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:

Benefits from good work relationships [
Benefits from good work relationships [2, 3, 4]
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How to cultivate better relationships at work

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:

  1. Show genuine interest.
  2. Be easy to get along with.
  3. Be encouraging and appreciative. [5]
Youtube: Alex Lyon - How to build relationships at work
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Action Item: Point out something what you value most in your colleague and tell him or her.
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Sources
  1. Perel, E. (2019). Esther Perel on Workplace Dynamics | SXSW 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PqWQl2AJpQ
  2. 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)
  3. 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)
  4. MindTools. (n.a.). Building Good Work Relationships. https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/good-relationships.htm
  5. Lyon, A. (2018). How to Build Relationships at Work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Wq6UN5Odw

More sources on the topic:

  1. Taylor-Cummings, A. & Taylor-Cummings, J. (2019). 4 Habits of ALL Successful Relationships. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4Y5Mr8rZ9A
  2. 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
  3. Heathfield, S. M. (2021). How to Develop Effective Work Relationships. https://www.thebalancecareers.com/developing-effective-work-relationships-1919386
  4. 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
  5. 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/
  6. Garg, A. (n.a.). 10 Ways to Build Positive And Effective Work Relationships. https://www.lifehack.org/816311/work-relationship
  7. 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