How to Create Healthy Relationships in the Workplace

Teamwork promotes trust and peak performance in the workplace.

Unhealthy relationships create a negative burden in the workplace--but there are several ways to develop healthy interactions. An important part of developing positive workplace relationships is understanding how your actions affect your co-workers, your supervisor and ultimately you. Several techniques and approaches can improve or help you develop a positive rapport.

Instructions

Boundaries

1. Establish interpersonal boundaries through clear communication with co-workers. Boundaries place a limit on negative interaction with your co-workers. For example, a co-worker who prefers to perform a task one way might invalidate your suggestion to perform the task differently. Correct co-workers, in a courteous and professional manner, who cross your limits, to establish positive boundaries.

2. Request a clear and concise list of responsibilities and expectations from your supervisor. Work environments that lack responsibility boundaries place employees in a position to receive blame from others for poor performance.

3. Communicate your limitations and don't overextend yourself. For example, an employee who doesn't express an inability to work extra hours may find himself at work each weekend. Overextending yourself can lead to an increased workload and ultimately issues of trust if you cannot keep your obligations.

Trust

1. Communicate with co-workers and supervisors in an honest and straightforward manner to establish trust. Trust has a significant effect on performance, productivity and attitudes. Relationships that lack trust ultimately move toward confusion, stress and decreased productivity.

2. Exhibit positive character traits, such as honesty, fairness and reliability. Share information that will benefit your co-workers. Withholding knowledge disintegrates trust in a relationship.

3. Make promises that you intend to keep. For example, if your supervisor asks you dedicate additional time or a co-worker requests assistance, follow through on a promise to deliver. Backing out of obligations that you agree to affects your credibility.

4. Avoid gossip like the plague. Gossip presents a conundrum in that it helps establish relationships and destroys them at the same time. Gossip also has a significant impact on trust. You can excuse yourself or make it clear that you refuse to gossip when someone approaches you with a tidbit of information.

Performance

1. Support your fellow co-workers through teamwork. Working together increases productivity and performance. It also lets people know you're trustworthy and that you care. Initiate boundaries in teamwork to ensure you don't become the "go-to" person for co-workers with poor performance.

2. Perform your work with dedication and integrity. Maintaining a positive level of performance not only improves your opportunity for advancement, it demonstrates dedication to your direct supervisor. Respect authority, but remain true to your morals and values. Take responsibility for your mishaps and avoid blaming others for shortfalls in performance and workload.

3. Give credit where credit is due when working on collaborative projects. Taking full credit when someone clearly assisted on a project decreases morale. It can also affect trust. Making sure your co-workers receive the praise they deserve helps them achieve workplace recognition.

References

• University of California San Francisco: Setting Healthy Workplace Boundaries
• Wright State University: Building and Repairing Trust