Building Relationships
Relationship-building skills, also known as “people skills,” are the foundation of successful
careers and thriving workplaces. These skills enable collaboration and foster trust, respect, and
understanding. They encompass effective communication, active listening, empathy, networking
finesse, and conflict resolution.
Mastering these professional relationship-building skills can transform an ordinary workplace
into a hub of creativity and innovation, where every employee feels valued and inspired to
contribute to the collective vision.
Building Effective Relationships with Colleagues
Effective relationships with other professionals and team members make you more likely to
enjoy your work. Building relationships in the workplace is also important for career success.
Not only do relationships with colleagues in the workplace assist with networking, but they can
also offer you the guidance and encouragement you need to succeed in your role.
Workplace relationships provide the following benefits:
● Increased satisfaction with your career
● Increased comfort with presentations and team meetings
● Improved productivity for all team members
● Moral support and assistance with meeting challenging timelines
● Higher retention rates
Building Relationships as a Leader
Company culture has a much bigger influence on employee well-being than salary and benefits
— studies have shown that employees perform better when they feel respected and cared for.
● Leaders who prioritise relationships with their employees lead from a place of positivity
and kindness
● The most effective leaders are value-driven, transparent, compassionate, humane, and
recognise employees as unique individuals
● Employees, in turn, are more engaged, less likely to turn over, more loyal, and more
productive.
● Such companies enjoy higher client satisfaction, a better bottom line, and boosted
shareholder returns.
Elements of a Sound Workplace Relationship
Understanding the elements of a good workplace relationship can assist you in evaluating your
relationships and identifying the areas in which you want to improve. Good workplace
relationships tend to have the following characteristics:
Trust: Trusting your coworkers and feeling that you can rely on them is important when building
a workplace relationship.
Acceptance: Acceptance and understanding of one another and your role in the workplace
relationship are important elements of a cordial relationship.
Being a team player: Individuals who work well in a team setting, doing their fair share of the
work and giving credit when it is due, tend to have stronger relationships.
Open communication: Open communication is crucial to any relationship, including one at the
workplace. One of the first steps toward a working relationship is encouraging open
communication, asking questions and getting to know your coworkers.
Traits among People Who Are Good at Relationship Building
Some common attributes observed among people who are great at building relationships
include:
1. Smiling demeanour: They have a pleasant personality, are optimistic, and have a cheerful
attitude, not only about work but also about life.
2. Appreciative: To get the best out of their teams and peers, they are always generously
appreciative of the work they do. They do not lose an opportunity to encourage their
people and give a pat on the back to increase their team’s enthusiasm to encourage
further contributions.
3. Empathy: This implies understanding the position of someone from one’s own position.
In other words, such people put themselves in the other’s shoes and try to understand
how they would feel if they were in the same position.
4. Effective conflict resolution skills: All employees need to know how to build and
encourage congenial relationships even in the most difficult and critical situations. By
connecting with others effortlessly, interpersonal skills can reduce stress and conflict and
enhance understanding.
5. Respect for etiquette and conduct: People who are good at sustaining relationships also
understand the importance of decorous conduct, which is why they speak politely, value
time and remain respectful.
10 Key Relationship-Building Skills to Develop
1. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Your ability to articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly and your proficiency in reading and
responding to others sets the tone for your relationships. Mastering both verbal and non-verbal
communication is vital to relationship management.
Effective verbal communication involves:
● Speaking with clarity and brevity
● Tailoring your message to your audience
● Using appropriate tone and pitch
Non-verbal cues can amplify or contradict your message
● Maintaining eye contact
● Using gestures to reinforce points
● Using posture and body language that signal openness
2. Active Listening
Those who truly understand and value their team often turn out to be active listeners. Active
listening involves more than just hearing; it requires your full attention and a willingness to
understand the speaker’s perspective.
Practice the following active listening techniques:
● Give undivided attention to the speaker
● Paraphrase what you’ve heard to ensure understanding
● Provide feedback that acknowledges the message
3. Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. As an employee,
empathy is an interpersonal skill that helps you connect with your team members on a human
level. Empathetic leaders foster a more inclusive and supportive work environment where
individuals feel valued and understood.
Examples of cultivating empathy:
● Putting yourself in your team’s shoes
● Acknowledging and validating their feelings
● Actively supporting their well-being
4. Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are inevitable in the workplace, but how they are handled makes all the difference.
Effective leaders address conflicts head-on and seek to find mutually beneficial solutions. By
mastering conflict resolution, you foster a culture of transparency and fairness that builds
stronger, more resilient teams.
Strategies for conflict resolution include:
● Encouraging open discussion
● Identifying the root cause of the conflict
● Seeking compromises that address all parties’ concerns
5. Networking Skills
Strong networking skills allow you to create a web of professional relationships that can offer
support and opportunities for growth. Cultivating these skills not only expands your
professional horizons but also opens up resources and knowledge that can benefit your entire
team.
Tips for effective networking include:
● Attend industry events and conferences
● Engage in social media networking
● Always follow up to maintain connections
6. Adaptability
In a dynamic work environment, adaptability is crucial. Adaptable people can navigate change
more easily and offer their team members the same flexibility.
Ways to develop adaptability include:
● Stay informed about industry trends and changes
● Be open to new ideas and processes
● Keep a positive and flexible attitude
7. Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is a significant factor in building relationships. Leaders with high EQ
understand their emotions and can navigate the intricacies of working with others. This can help
you create comfortable, expressive work environments where emotions are recognised as a
natural part of human interaction.
To enhance your emotional intelligence, try:
● Practising self-awareness and self-regulation
● Understanding and manage your stress
● Building upon your empathy and social skills
8. Collaboration and Teamwork
Promoting collaboration and teamwork emphasizes that every team member is heard and
respected. It paves the way for a culture where ideas are freely shared and built upon.
You can foster a collaborative environment by:
● Setting shared goals and visions
● Encouraging inter-departmental cooperation
● Celebrating team achievements
9. Problem-Solving
People who are approachable and contribute to the problem-solving process earn the trust and
respect of their colleagues as well as their superiors. Effective problem-solving requires clarity
of thought and a systematic method to address issues.
To master problem-solving, follow these steps:
● Identify the problem and its underlying causes
● Encourage brainstorming for solutions
● Evaluate and choose the best course of action
10. Constructive Feedback
To build positive relationships, one must be able to give constructive feedback that is both
informative and supportive. This business communication skill helps to guide and mentor team
members toward professional growth.
Key components of constructive feedback include:
● Be specific and timely
● Offer actionable suggestions for improvement
● Recognise and reinforce positive performance
Effective feedback can foster an environment of continuous learning and development, where
feedback is seen as a tool for improvement rather than criticism.
The Personal Implication of Professional Skills
When we speak of Teams, we normally think of teams at work. However, teams should not be
viewed simply from a professional lens. Relationships with our friends and family are also
examples of teamwork. A family set up of parents, grandparents, relatives and children all are
part of a family team. Friends and acquaintances come together to foster life-long networks,
which are also teams.
By extension, the same principles of cooperation and companionship apply at work and beyond.
Success results for those who can be dependable team players in whatever situation:
challenging or happy, professional or personal. It is very essential to foster teamwork in all
aspects of one’s everyday life.
References:
Kawarsky, Diana, Ma Ccp. “Leading With Connection: Mastering Relationship-Building Skills for
Effective Leadership.” The Soft Skills Group, 21 Mar. 2024,
www.tssg.ca/mastering-relationship-building-skills-for-effective-leadership.
Mitra, Barun K. Personality Development and Soft Skills. Oxford University Press, 2012.
Seppälä, Emma and Nicole K. McNichols. “The Power of Healthy Relationships at Work.”
Harvard Business Review, hbr.org/2022/06/the-power-of-healthy-relationships-at-work.
Sharma, Prashant. Soft Skills 3rd Edition. BPB Publications, 2019.
Sharma, Sangeeta and Gajendran Singh Chauhan. Soft Skills vs Hard Skills: An Integrated
Approach to Maximise Personality. Wiley, 2015.
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-build-relationships
