The importance of creating and sustaining solid relationships at the workplace cannot be underestimated.
And by this, I do not just mean cultivating "friendships. I am referring to connected "functional relationships."
Over the years spanning my career, I have understood that at work, everyone has functional relationships with others. This means you will have a link with others, which requires both parties to fulfil agreed and fixed obligations to each other. Only when you do this, are you able to deliver results.
There is an old adage that says that no one is an island unto themselves. And, when you have grasped and internalised this idea, you will realise that almost everything you accomplish at your place of work, will have the imprint of your co-workers.
At times, the connection will simply be transactional. This is when you just cooperate as a means to an end. But there also relational connections. This means that the people you work with have to actively fulfil their part with care and diligence, in order for to complete your tasks.
These relationships only thrive when you have meaningful engagements.
If you have relational connections with your colleagues, you will not only care about the outcomes, but you also care about how your colleague achieves them. This requires you to pay attention to the process and quality of how you are both communicating, and not just interacting as a means to an end.
The reality is that we spend more of our waking hours with our co-workers than we do with our own families. This makes it necessary for us to build and maintain solid relationships with our colleagues.
If your work environment is tainted with some toxic people, work becomes very challenging. People who are toxic have a negative mindset at all times, and create a damaging work atmosphere. They judge people to suit their needs, and in every story, they will position themselves as the victim.
But, building strong relationships with your team, will help you withstand the onslaught of the occasional toxicity that occurs in nearly all companies. Therefore, the highest value task for all leaders, is to cultivate a conducive environment that helps their team members build collaborative relationships.
When co-workers forge relationships that are purposeful, they are much more likely to work well together. This is often apparent when a new person joins a team. Typically, new members remain relatively isolated until everyone gets to know them.
If you have people who are barely on speaking terms, and you put them together into a project, it will take some time for them calibrate and work in tandem. On the other hand, team members who already know, and respect each other, are always more equipped to collaborate for the benefit of any project.
Because we spend so much time at work with each other, the development of good relationships will increase our work morale. If you look forward to spending time with your colleagues, you will produce a different set of results to when you dread working with your colleagues. The relationships we have with others will very much determine if going to work is empowering. The is a real a prerequisite for high morale.
You will only feel connected to your company for a couple of reasons. The first is that you share the same vision as your leaders. And next, it is because you feel a family-like connection with your co-workers. This connectivity will prevent you from leaving the job willy-nilly. Connected relationships lower the attrition rate in a business, benefitting sustainable growth. And, from a profitability stand-point, there is enough research to show that happier employees are more productive.
In my own businesses, I know that a well-adjusted workforce is a productive one. By feeling more connected to their place of employment, my team naturally wants to try harder to keep my company going, and to help it grow.
I was really encouraged when earlier this week, one of my team members told me that she misses work and her colleagues, on her day off. She wasn't trying impress me. It was a "matter of fact" comment she made in passing.
Through my experience, I have learnt that much of my entrepreneurial success has been grounded on the functional relationships I have had with my team. When my team has a collaborative relationship with me, they easily meet targets and deliver results.
And, most importantly, it keeps them connected to their jobs.
Functional relationships are forged when you create a strong mission for your team. Set clear expectations and communicate those expectations constantly and in a passionate manner. Remember to respond to positive behaviour with a well-timed pat on the back, and deal with any rogue behaviour fairly and firmly. And, show your team genuine concern for their difficulties and issues.
Functional relationships are the bedrock of successful organisations.
