Building strong working relationships

Prasanna Perera, Marketing and Management Consultant, Chartered Marketer, CIM, U.K.

Building strong working relationships is essential for career success and effective communication. Many individuals are unable to achieve their personal goals, due to poor work based relationships.

You need to first understand others and this is referred to as empathetic communication. There are five fundamentals that can be used in your day-to-day communication with your colleagues to build better relationships with them.

1. Words of affirmation

People often go about doing their jobs with little feedback on their performance. In fact, only when something goes wrong are they reprimanded, but the good is most often overlooked. Basically, the good deeds are taken for granted.

People need constant reminders of the good work they have done. Words of affirmation such as "That was a great presentation" or "You did a great job in satisfying the client" do not cost anything. But they are very valuable and motivating to the recipient.

2. Quality time

Very often, you may find yourself rushing through your work and even during your lunch breaks. Many people do not spend enough time with their bosses and vice versa.

Building a great relationship means getting to know other people so that you can support one another effectively. It is important that employees have an emotional attachment to the company. If not, they will have little desire to contribute effectively to organisational goals.

3. Giving gifts

Gifts speak the language of appreciation and tells the recipients that they are valued. In a work environment, inexpensive but meaningful gifts are appreciated. For example office stationery, bookmarks with some personal words of gratitude, a box of chocolates or even a card of thanks. Such gifts remind people that their efforts are noticed and appreciated. They build up motivation levels as well.

4. Acts of service

Any person loves someone who does something for them. It gives satisfaction and appreciation, specially at a time of need.

Acts of service come in many shapes and sizes. For example delivering a letter or package on behalf of a colleague, passing on an important message, buying lunches for the colleagues or even preparing a quotation/ tender document on behalf of a colleague.

Doing a service for your colleague means going out of your way to help. It tells the colleague that you are on his side.

5. Touch

In an office environment, you naturally need to be very careful about this particular love language. Touch, in this context, means giving a colleague a pat on the back, to emphasise your appreciation of something they have done or to say "thank you" or "well done."

A light touch on the shoulders can represent your concern, empathy, support or even approval. People who are shown a lot of affection have a high level of self esteem. The five languages of love for office colleagues are basic communication techniques to help build relationships.

Everyone has different needs. Some may appreciate words of affirmation, whilst others prefer quality time. Hence, an understanding of who needs what, is important before embarking on building work based relationships.

"Both men and women deserve more credit for all that they do." - John Gray