These top tips will help you to manage and develop your working relationships effectively.
Connect with others
Establish yourself as a valued team member by taking shared responsibility for the department’s success, as well as your own.
When working with another department, familiarise yourself with its working culture and adapt your approach where necessary.
Trust your instincts
Be aware of your instincts and share them with your colleagues when approaching tasks or challenges.
Encourage your colleagues to share their instincts with you and the rest of the team.
Communicate
Share your views honestly and openly, but maintain your professionalism at all times.
Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ to requests if your time and resources are limited. Instead, let the other person know what, if anything, you can do to help.
Deliver feedback constructively, providing examples when appropriate.
Be upfront with the bad news as well as the good.
Keep your promises
Deliver on all your promises, however small.
Only make promises you know you can keep.
Complete tasks at the first opportunity and provide regular updates.
Be supportive
Treat one another as equals.
Approach working relationships with an enthusiastic and positive attitude.
Be willing to deal with setbacks in the relationship and move forward.
Be a partner
Be willing to share your expertise with others.
Take the time to establish what you expect from one another in the relationship.
Develop a climate of confidentiality, respect and empathy in the relationship.
Relate to others
Spend time getting to know your colleagues and clients both inside and outside the workplace.
Find out what drives them to achieve their goals and objectives.
Build rapport by establishing areas of mutual interest.
Have fun!
Invest time and effort
Continuously develop your working relationships.
Treat every connection as an investment. If you do this, every working relationship has the potential to help you achieve your objectives.
Reference: Developed from The Learning Sanctuary’s ‘Relationship Management Essential Principles’. www.thelearningsanctuary.co.uk
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