Building Workplace Relationships

Strangely, some companies spent huge amounts on leadership or talent development programs and improvement of processes to have significant transformation in their workplaces. May be they want to boost organizational culture, adapt to existing challenges and practices or maximize their efficiencies in order to improve their business results.

But, what happens when there are flaws in human nature? Oftentimes, we perceive the truth, but we, deliberately or erroneously, make a slip and take wrong sides. May be because of our fear factor. Even due to greed or jealousy, we alter our tempers, actions and thoughts. 

So, even after good learning and being aware of precepts of wisdom we spoil our workplace relationships with unwanted motives, malice and maneuvers. 

Yes, it makes sense when what is learnt is taken to heart and actions are performed in prescribed ways. Change happens, not magically. But, we see swift transition and anticipated transformation when we

-> Simplify workflows

-> Eliminate complexities

-> Foster open communication

-> Encourage employees

-> Build collaborative culture

SIMPLIFYING WORKFLOW

When you have the ability to remove roadblocks, then you should help others by removing those hurdles and simplify your workflow. On the contrary, when you burden someone with unwanted work load or make things complicated, then that’s too harsh.

For example, in a company, the procurement department had its own work methodology that was remarkably efficient. Somehow, to make a show of cost-cuttings and  upgrading, the newly designated manager troubled his staff with unnecessary extra tasks and activities. And that resulted in unreasonable delays and stress on the staff.

Verily, best are those managers who enable their employees to have easygoing and efficient ways for accomplishing their assignments.

ELIMINATING COMPLEXITIES

When complexities prevail, then things don’t happen as per projected expectations. Complex issues can be internal as well as external. What’s important is how problems can be immediately addressed and sorted out in a timely manner.

Oftentimes, a simple issue can turn into a major impediment. 

For example, there was an indication of impending deficiency of raw materials. Meetings were held and priorities were discussed. However, due to overlapping of other assignments and no proper follow up, no timely action was taken. Finally, the outcome was shortage of raw materials and stoppage of production lines.

FOSTERING OPEN COMMUNICATION

Perhaps, most of our human problems are due to lack of communication, miscommunication or wrong communication.

Lack of communication between departments creates cutoffs in workflow, critical delays and loss of time and resources. Miscommunication happens when a person perceives one thing and expresses something else without clarity or relevance to a wrong audience. And this leads to differing perceptions and misunderstanding.

And then, wrong communication often leads to negative relationships, conflicting circumstances and disappointing outcomes. For instance,

-> A department head making a wrong appraisal of a diligent employee

-> An employee spreading baseless rumors and causing disruption

-> A manager tampering financial data and giving a falsified presentation

In short, encouraging open communication, listening attentively and focusing on prompt follow up and appropriate feedback builds an honest and integrated work culture.

ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES

Give a smile, show a kind gesture, appreciate or cheer up someone, and then notice the positive impact. It’s a human tendency that we like goodness and dislike harshness.

It’s duty of employers to fulfill their obligations towards their employees, and when employees are encouraged then such an action makes them energetic and happy. In fact, one’s good behavior shows one’s morals and thinking.

And, the worth of one’s status is not in mistreating others, but by respecting and encouraging others.

Reason this, employers who count their employees as ‘prized assets’ come up with diverse ways to motivate their employees. In turn, they get what they want i.e. employee engagement, accomplishment of goals, productivity, organizational growth and business success.

BUILDING COLLABORATIVE CULTURE

If your company culture is collaborative, then that simply means you’ve engaging workplace.

In truth, for the company’s progress and employees’ wellbeing, you can build a collaborative culture by

-> Promoting fidelity, fairness and supportive atmosphere

-> Valuing diversity and employees’ engagement

-> Conducting training and skills enrichment programs

-> Recognizing and rewarding employees’ contributions

-> Creating pathways for career progression and contentment

Image copyright: 2003 by Randy Glasbergen – glasbergen.com