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rsonalities of your co-workers, you may need to try different approaches to see what works best.</p><p id="f6c5" type="7">Plan–do–check–adjust. Wait a minute, that’s Edwards Deming!</p><h2 id="7b9f">Take an inventory of your current relationships</h2><p id="4470">Make a list of who you work with regularly and assign a grade to the relationship. Enter a 1 for needs most improvement to 5 for a good going relationship. Keep this list to yourself, and whatever you do, DO NOT leave it on your desk where others can see it.</p><h2 id="84f6">Identify barriers</h2><p id="d57d">What do you perceive as the problem in each relationship? How do you improve the stance? Spend some time reflecting and give yourself a time frame. Try some new things over a month or two, then have a look at the result. Plan–do–check–adjust.</p><p id="5142" type="7">Friendly, not familiar rules the day</p><h2 id="f82a">Take note of individual behaviors</h2><p id="3a20">While working elbow to elbow, take notice of what you are doing. Ask how the others are interacting with the team. Are you placing greater emphasis on tasks, or are you more focused on team involvement? Is the conversation all about <i>YOUR</i> opinions? Take note of each team member’s work style, comments, attitudes toward ot

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hers, and stress level. Use your observations to make goals to move the needle towards a better level of communication and teamwork.</p><h2 id="ae31">Feedback from peers</h2><p id="8d7e">While all this effort is going towards better relationships, keep your eye out for signs that the intensity is starting to thaw. As daily interaction gets more relaxed, you will notice your teammates beginning to give you feedback. It may be subtle, but there will be signs, a warmer greeting, questions about your personal condition, and more off the cuff communication.</p><p id="9218">Remember, everyone will have their way of loosening up. Friendly, not familiar rules the day. Enjoy your new interactions, and no matter what, do not let your guard down.</p><p id="5de5">This is business.</p><p id="9696">*** *** </p><p id="648a">Douglas Pilarski is a Portland-based writer/journalist. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, CJ-CX, horology, lifestyle, & workplace issues. Comments welcome! [email protected]. Follow on Twitter — @dpatlarge</p><p id="d238"> *** ***</p><p id="c0d8">DO NOT COPY OR PUBLISH ANY PART OF THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR.</p><p id="766e">Copyright © 2020 AstonBell Media</p><p id="3f57">All rights reserved.</p></article></body>

5 Ways to Make Your Work Relationships More Effective

Start with a relationship scorecard

In an organization, people must depend on others to accomplish work. Business models vary but what they all have in common is human interaction. Spending time on building and nurturing relationships is critical.

Some companies seem to thrive when there is internal competition. Teams pitted one against the other. The question is, which team is the first-place finisher? Not a great way to foster open lines of communication.

Getting there is all that matters. Competition may accelerate achievements toward business goals. Your best buddy at the office may be on the other team. When the work is over for the day, everyone gets back to the same page.

5 ways to build relationships

Be a team member first

Look for ways to be a team member rather than a rival. Work on building relationships themselves rather than the work to be done or exceeding your metrics. Depending on the personalities of your co-workers, you may need to try different approaches to see what works best.

Plan–do–check–adjust. Wait a minute, that’s Edwards Deming!

Take an inventory of your current relationships

Make a list of who you work with regularly and assign a grade to the relationship. Enter a 1 for needs most improvement to 5 for a good going relationship. Keep this list to yourself, and whatever you do, DO NOT leave it on your desk where others can see it.

Identify barriers

What do you perceive as the problem in each relationship? How do you improve the stance? Spend some time reflecting and give yourself a time frame. Try some new things over a month or two, then have a look at the result. Plan–do–check–adjust.

Friendly, not familiar rules the day

Take note of individual behaviors

While working elbow to elbow, take notice of what you are doing. Ask how the others are interacting with the team. Are you placing greater emphasis on tasks, or are you more focused on team involvement? Is the conversation all about YOUR opinions? Take note of each team member’s work style, comments, attitudes toward others, and stress level. Use your observations to make goals to move the needle towards a better level of communication and teamwork.

Feedback from peers

While all this effort is going towards better relationships, keep your eye out for signs that the intensity is starting to thaw. As daily interaction gets more relaxed, you will notice your teammates beginning to give you feedback. It may be subtle, but there will be signs, a warmer greeting, questions about your personal condition, and more off the cuff communication.

Remember, everyone will have their way of loosening up. Friendly, not familiar rules the day. Enjoy your new interactions, and no matter what, do not let your guard down.

This is business.

*** *** ***

Douglas Pilarski is a Portland-based writer/journalist. He writes about luxury goods, exotic cars, CJ-CX, horology, lifestyle, & workplace issues. Comments welcome! [email protected]. Follow on Twitter — @dpatlarge

*** *** ***

DO NOT COPY OR PUBLISH ANY PART OF THIS ARTICLE WITHOUT THE CONSENT OF THE AUTHOR.