Top 3 Effective Tips on Building and Maintaining Healthy Interpersonal Relationships at Work

Hi there,

I think we can all agree that workplace relationships play a pivotal role in our overall health & wellness.

Here is the list of few effective tips to build and maintain healthy social and interpersonal relationships at work.

3 Secrets of Healthy Interpersonal Relationships at Work

Secret of “Happy” Relationships: Communication + Trust

Communication and trust are the cornerstone of any healthy and successful relationship.

People who communicate openly and respectfully tend to experience higher levels of relationship satisfaction.

Trust is critical in establishing a secure emotional connection. Trust involves reliability, dependability, and confidence in the other person’s intentions.

People who cultivate trust experience greater satisfaction and a deeper sense of security.

Secret of “Happier” Relationships: Focusing on Things Inside Your Zone of Control

It is always easy to list all the things other people should do, but it is more important to focus on things that are inside our zone of control (aka. our own behaviors).

Taking accountability for one’s actions and cultivating a proactive approach to communication are fundamental aspects of fostering satisfying work relationships.

Secret of “Happiest” Relationships: Intentional Downgrading of Expectations

The key to relationship satisfaction lies not in the elimination of expectations but in their intentional management.

This intentional downgrading involves a realistic assessment of one’s expectations, considering the complexities and challenges inherent in the professional realm.

By acknowledging the potential gap between idealized expectations and actual dynamics of work relationships, employees can cultivate a more adaptive mindset, fostering resilience in the face of unmet expectations.

Other Key Factors

Common Values and Goals

People are more likely to seek and provide support to those with whom they share common goals and values.

Fostering a sense of shared identity within a workplace team encourages the natural inclination to support one another.

Empathy and Active Listening

Peer support thrives on empathy and active listening.

Colleagues who genuinely understand and acknowledge each other’s experiences foster a supportive environment.

The ability to listen actively, without judgment, promotes a sense of validation and connection.

Assertiveness

Being assertive involves expressing one’s thoughts, feelings, and needs in a direct and honest manner while respecting the rights and feelings of others.

Assertiveness contributes to clear communication and boundary-setting, which are essential components of effective peer support.

Adaptability & Psychological Flexibility

Psychologically flexible people can adjust their approach to different situations, fostering a resilient and supportive team culture.

Cultural Competence

Understanding and appreciating cultural diversity is a key aspect of effective peer support.

Cultural competence promotes inclusivity and respect for different perspectives and backgrounds within the workplace.

My Favorite: Feedforward

Providing constructive feedback and offering suggestions for improvement in the future (feedforward) is a valuable skill in building healthy relationships at work.

Feedforward is a concept that focuses on providing constructive suggestions or insights for future improvement rather than dwelling on past mistakes or shortcomings.

It’s a forward-looking and positive approach to feedback that emphasizes growth and development.

Developing feedforward skills is beneficial in the context of building relationships as it promotes a constructive and solution-oriented work environment.

In conclusion, healthy and successful relationships inside and outside of workplace is a critical determinant of wellness.

By embracing the lessons shared here, you can build and maintain strong healthy relationships at work with your colleagues and benefit from the peer support.