How to nurture meaningful workplace relationships

Building workplace friendships goes beyond casual interactions in the evolving landscape of workplaces. These personal relationships can be beneficial for both individual and professional growth. Here are some ways you can cultivate positive relationships at work.

Having friends at work can be helpful

Building workplace friendships can help your wellbeing and workplace culture. According to Gallop, employees with best friends at work are seven times more likely to be engaged. Here are other ways in which having meaningful relationships with co-workers can benefit your business.

Elevating professional growth

Work relationships can help employees gain diverse perspectives, fostering innovative thinking and continuous learning. These connections encourage open dialogue and the sharing of valuable industry insights, which can contribute to both professional growth and job satisfaction.

For instance, you may have a project idea that you believe to be flawless. However, discussing it with your co-workers may reveal some oversights you made. Strong relationships enhance the overall outcome of any ideas you have.

Related: 5 ways to improve equity in the workplace

Navigating career advancement

Trusted relationships can be instrumental in career growth. Colleagues who know your work ethic and capabilities may advocate for your promotions or recommend you for new opportunities within or outside the organisation.

Ways to build relationships

Cultivating meaningful relationships requires intention and effort, but the benefits are worth it. By making meaningful connections, you can create a supportive network that enhances collaboration, promotes mutual respect, and contributes to a harmonious work environment. Here are some practical ways to build and strengthen these relationships:

1. Organise team-building activities

Events such as workshops, retreats, or social gatherings provide a relaxed environment for colleagues to bond, break down barriers, and build friendships.

Related: How to hire to improve gender diversity in the workplace

2. Initiate cross-departmental meetings

Encourage interactions beyond immediate teams. This creates opportunities for collaboration and understanding among diverse teams.

3. Create mentorship programmes

Implement mentorship programmes where seasoned workers can guide less experienced colleagues. This can help not only with employee bonding but also, make it easier to onboard new employees.

4. Bridging generational gaps

Recognise that different generations may have varying approaches to workplace relationships. For example, younger employees might prefer more frequent, informal check-ins, while older generations may value scheduled, formal meetings.

Foster an environment of mutual understanding and respect for these differences. Encourage cross-generational mentoring to facilitate knowledge sharing and relationship building across age groups.

5. Navigating remote work challenges

In remote or hybrid work environments, building relationships requires extra effort. Utilise video conferencing for regular face-to-face interactions, even if they’re virtual.

Create online spaces for casual conversations, such as virtual coffee breaks or chat channels for non-work discussions. Organise occasional in-person meetups when possible to strengthen connections formed online.

Related: How to create a great employee experience – in the office or at home

6. Developing networking skills

For those who find networking challenging, especially introverts, start small. Set achievable goals, such as introducing yourself to one new colleague each week.

Practise active listening to build genuine connections. Prepare talking points before meetings or social events to feel more confident. Remember, quality relationships often matter more than quantity.

7. Digital communication etiquette

In today’s digital workplace, mastering online communication is crucial. Be mindful of tone in written messages, as nuances can be lost without vocal cues.

Use emojis judiciously to convey tone, but be aware of cultural differences in their interpretation. Respect colleagues’ time by being concise in emails and messages. When in doubt about the tone or content of digital communication, consider whether a quick video call might be more effective.

Related: Best practice for virtual recruitment and hiring

Cultural sensitivity and diversity

An employee can build trust with the business by embracing diversity and practising cultural sensitivity. This is one of the key ways in which a company can succeed.

This can be achieved by acknowledging and respecting different cultural backgrounds, customs, and perspectives, and using inclusive language and practices to ensure everyone feels valued and understood.

Challenges of maintaining a united workforce and how to solve them

It is not always easy to maintain meaningful connections with co-workers. Problems include:

Remote work dynamics: With the rise of remote work, maintaining relationships can be challenging. Utilising video conferencing platforms to keep regular contact and holding virtual meetings help even staff who work from home feel engaged and included.

Personal conflicts: The key to disputes is to tackle them head-on but with tact. Encourage your team to speak up when issues arise – it’s far better than letting things simmer. Sometimes, you might need to play mediator, and that’s okay.

The goal is to create an environment where people feel comfortable hashing things out constructively rather than sweeping problems under the rug. A frank discussion today can prevent a blow-up tomorrow.

Long-term management of relationships

Healthy relationships always require effort to make it work in the long run. Relationships can be managed through:

Regular check-ins: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings and team check-ins to discuss work updates. This continuous engagement helps maintain relationships over the long term.

Feedback loops: Create an environment where feedback is regularly exchanged. Constructive feedback helps in understanding expectations and improving relationships, while also addressing any underlying issues before they blow up into a bigger issue.

Adapt to change: As teams evolve, be adaptable in your approach to relationship management. New team members, shifting roles, or changing dynamics require adjustments in communication and interaction styles.

Related: The relationship between trust and performance

Impact on organisational culture

There are both tangible and intangible benefits of forming a good relationship with other colleagues, which include:

Cooperation and creativity: Strong workplace relationships contribute to a collaborative culture. When employees trust and respect each other, they are more likely to share ideas, collaborate on projects, and contribute to a creative and innovative environment.

Role of managers: Managers play a crucial role in modelling relationship-building behaviours and fostering employee engagement. By demonstrating empathy, active listening, and inclusiveness, managers set the tone for the entire team.

Balancing technology and personal interaction: While technology is a valuable tool, it's essential to balance it with face-to-face interactions. Plan occasional in-person meetings or gatherings to strengthen connections and reduce the sense of isolation that can come with remote work.

However, forming workplace relationships can come with its own set of challenges. Differences in communication styles, conflicting priorities, or even a competitive environment can make it difficult to connect with colleagues.

Navigating power dynamics and maintaining professional boundaries while fostering friendships requires a delicate balance. Without clear communication and understanding, these hurdles can hinder the development of strong, productive relationships in the workplace.

By embracing cultural sensitivity, leveraging technology, and continuously seeking improvement through feedback, you can foster deep, lasting connections that enhance both personal fulfilment and professional success for you and your business.

Read more:
How HR needs to evolve to support the future of work
How to hire to improve gender diversity in the workplace
Employee retention strategies amid the Great Resignation