15 Smart Ways to Approach
Interpersonal Relationships at Work
Once you have embarked on your professional
life, whether it is after college or high school, you will be making a
transition to the workplace. If possible, it is good to find an employer that
is flexible. In other words, one that possesses a culture that is diverse and
tailors to the needs of its employees as a bottom line.
But, even if you don’t land your dream job
right away, there are many ways to improve your experiences within the
workplace as you climb the career ladder.
In the subsequent sections will be looking
over ways to engage your relationships at work, including 15 ways to
effectively approach interpersonal relationships at
the workplace.
1.
Open Up Cautiously
Depending on if it is a startup, a small
business, enterprise or corporation it’s important to be aware of your
surroundings.
Be mindful of how much you open up about
yourself, specifically regarding your personal life. You do not want to give
the wrong impression, so be careful how much or what details you divulge about
being in a relationship or having children.
You have to reach a certain comfort level and
rapport with the rest of the staff to be able to engage in transparent
conversations. A good general guideline is to stick to small talk.
2.
Observe Your Surroundings
There will be times when we are summoned to
have a leadership role or to undertake a project to lead a team.
Try not to be too bold or overcompensate at
every turn when there is a meeting or an interaction among other staff or
employees. The last thing you want to do is to be the person who wants to
monopolize every conversation and every interaction.
Be a passive observer at first, and more
often than not, you will learn a lot by letting others talk a lot about
themselves.
3.
Listen Actively
It may seem redundant, but it is essential to
practice the art of really listening to the other person.
Developing interpersonal skills and
connections with others at work comes down to listening. It is not just
paraphrasing what your superiors or colleagues are trying to communicate; it is
about understanding what is at the core and reading between the lines.
Phrases like “I can see what you are saying”
or “I can acknowledge your insight” are just some examples. Learn to empathize
and relate with people with whom you have a genuine connection.
4.
Consolidate All Feedback
When you learn to listen to others and to
allow them to finish their thoughts you are on your way to be being a great
communicator.
One of the toughest tasks to accomplish is to
include everyone’s voice. Don’t rely on shout-outs or trying to come up with
the best answer. Including everyone’s voice is about listening to all
suggestions and putting together an entire picture. When everyone feels part of
the process there is great cohesion.
5.
Never Make Sweeping Judgements
As person and a human being with compassion
never make any assumptions about anyone.
Just because they have a certain skin color,
clothes or physical features, never make stereotypical or generalizations about
anyone.
6.
Keep Emotions in Check
Work-related stress is something we all have
to deal with at some point or another. Whether you work in the public or
private sector you will encounter stressors or stressful co-workers. In this
case, it is good to keep open the lines of communications.
Always ask to clarify how a person feels and
where they are coming from. It is better to entertain these conversations
before they make a person lash out or have a negative reaction. Ask to speak
privately and get feedback. When you do this it really shows you care about
what your role is and that you are a true professional.
7.
Give Help to Others
Having compassion and empathy for others is a
noble attitude to practice.
Though, do be careful about how much you want
to get involved with colleagues at the office; it could jeopardize the nature
of your work relationship and the roles you both have.
It’s best to separate the personal from the
professional and lend a hand by using your best judgement.
8.
Broaden Your Horizons
Once you have worked in a company or an
organization, things can get repetitive and dull. Sometimes we need to remember
that we are human and need to fulfill certain responsibilities.
Often we want to try to change things by
introducing our best abilities or perhaps our inventions, but we need to be
realistic. Change does not happen overnight, rather it is a long process.
Step back and take a look at the big picture,
and, put all your cards on the table to get perspective. Sometimes we approach
situations in life from the wrong point-of-view.
9.
Be Optimistic
This is probably one you have heard time and
time again.
When we suggest to have a positive attitude it
does not mean to fake it until you make it, nor to conceal your feelings. This
is not the case in this situation. Overall, you want to try to be authentic in
how you are feeling, because life will throw curve balls that are beyond our
control.
10.
Be Sensitive to Cultural Norms
Whenever you are around other people within a
professional workspace, do not make assumptions in trying to figure people out
in an instant.
Some cultures discourage physical contact,
while others may be inviting. Always be courteous, respectful and ask questions.
It will not only make you more aware of others’ needs, but show that you are
considerate of the differences.
You do not want to get off on the wrong foot
by being too friendly or too touchy. Just observe how people respond to your
approach and let them lead the way of what is a safe practice to meet and greet
the first time around.
11..
Show Professionalism
How you interact and carry yourself around
others will be the difference between a job promotion or losing your job. No
matter what, always respectful and professional towards others.
You will have an opportunities in life and at
work, so showcase an outpouring of great and positive energy in the face of
adversity.
12.
Get Involved with Activities
When you are part of a company, there are
often opportunities for organized activities outside of the office space.
Sometimes it is worth exploring uncharted
terrain and to get to know people in a different environment. Plus, you will
have an opportunity to be seeing in a different light.
Even though you are off the clock, keep your
professional tenure and set boundaries. You want to be vulnerable, but not put
yourself in a comprising position. Use your intuition and common sense to
evaluate these situations.
13.
Get to Know Your Company
With your smartphone or your laptop, you have
at your fingertips a mine of information online. Just as you would do before a
job interview, conduct ample research to get familiarized with what your
company does and how its branding is perceived via the media or social networks.
Rather than just focusing on doing your job
and fulfilling the duties, see what the business is up to. It is fundamental to
really know what organization you belong to. Get educated on what other
ventures they are involved with as well as the ones that you are directly in
the know about.
14.
Learn to Problem Solve
Problem solving is going to be a skill you
will acquire with experience and by making mistakes. Furthermore, not only will
you make mistakes but you will likely also sometimes fail. This is okay and is
part of the natural swing of things!
Learn to take responsibility for your actions
and decisions. At the same time, do not blame others for coming up short. When
you come forward with the truth and responsibility, your supervisors or
superiors will take notice of your authenticity.
One of the greatest gifts in life is fail and
once you experience you start to get a different perspective on how to move
forward at the job.
15.
Do Some Prospecting
If you have coding, computer, language or
other beneficial skills, be sure to pitch these at the right time.
When you start out new at a company it is
best not to show all your cards. It is like poker: don’t let others see if you
believe you have the upper hand. Take time to get familiarized with your company
and organization before promoting your outside skillset.
You will know when to put forward your
amazing talents, so proceed with caution.
Conclusion
Learning to refine your interpersonal skills
is a lifelong process. In time, you will also became more effective and
skillful after accumulating work-related experiences.
Exert humility, understanding, compassion,
and mindfulness and the rewards will come!
Anthony Carranza
https://www.lifehack.org/789913/interpersonal-relationships
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