How to Make Your Work Relationships Succeed

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By Althea DeBrule
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People play an essential part in any business. The activity they engage in is called work. Work occupies about one-third to one-half of our lives. Those who work are called employees or workers, and those who manage or oversee these workers are called leaders or bosses. The work relationship is somewhat symbiotic. Bosses and workers co-exist for mutual benefit based upon certain conditions, promises and agreements with one another. As a result, the work relationship can be severed when either the boss or worker takes advantage of or hurts the other. A failure to live up to the agreement will cause the boss to terminate or fire the worker, or the worker to quit or resign from the boss. In fact, employee survey
research has consistently shown that the number one reason why workers leave a company is poor boss quality. To make your work relationships succeed, consider these steps.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Willingness to trust
Communication skills
Collaboration
Conflict management skills

Step 1

Exercise diligence and care when establishing work relationships.
Step 2

Acknowledge and show consideration and respect for your boss and co-workers.
Step 3

Learn to trust your colleagues so that workplace challenges and obstacles may be overcome.
Step 4

Communicate with leaders and others in ways that promote mutual understanding.
Step 5

Cooperate with those in authority over you and with whom you have been asked to partner; use collaborative ways to solve problems and make decisions.
Step 6

Give bosses and co-workers the benefit of the doubt. Practice “2S1Q” (slow to speak and become angry; quick to listen). Refrain from prematurely passing judgment on each other.
Step 7

If work relationships are damaged, consider repair and damage control. Revive the relationship with your boss first; then repair any breaches.