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How to Improve Office Relationships

The workplace has a number of important relationships. These relationships include those between the business owner and his or her employees, the relationships between a manager or supervisor and the workers he or she supervises, relationships among coworkers, and the all-important relationships between each employee and the clients of the company.

Unless you're the owner, your success in the workplace depends to a large degree on getting along well with your supervisor, your coworkers and the people you supervise. Your company probably has an extensive policy for dealing with its clients.

Problems with Office Relationships
The problems that arise in relationships in the workplace typically evolve from a lack of training, personality differences or a simple shortage of courtesy. While daily interactions with other humans require patience and an ability to overlook minor transgressions, the constant and nagging irritation of under-performing colleagues, office gossip and inappropriate comments can have severe consequences.

The Supervisor’s Role
If you are a manager or supervisor, your job includes smoothing the bumps that invariably crop up in office relationships. If your team is to work as a cohesive, cooperative unit, teaching them to communicate effectively and to respect one another is critical.

Design a good training session with clear goals, or ask your boss to arrange for a professional to provide training. The investment will pay off in efficiency and effectiveness.

When the Boss is the Problem
If your boss is causing a problem in office relationships, you can take several courses of action. The first is to confront him or her. Take the time to prepare what you're going to say before the meeting. Take a written list with you and stick to a clearly defined objective. Invariably, poor relationships are the result of a communication breakdown. Ask for clarification, clear outcomes and feedback on your performance. You may unknowingly be doing something that irritates your boss.

Fostering Good Office Relationships
Above all, be positive. Praise the people you supervise when they do a great job. Reward them with time off, if you can. Take them to lunch or host an ice cream party if they've reached a difficult deadline on time. Ask for raises on their behalf. Model great work habits and recognize those who offer suggestions for improvement. Take criticism as objectively as you can without becoming a doormat.

A Primer on Workplace Behavior
What's acceptable behavior in the office? What isn't? Here are a few of the major "dos and don'ts" when it comes to office relationships. Do yourself a favor and keep them firmly in your grasp to ease office relationships.

DO:

• Say "good morning," "thank you," and "please."
• Be helpful, friendly and polite.
• Seek help for anger problems.
• Dress professionally.
• Ask permission to enter someone else's space.
• Show appreciation.
• Control your emotions.
• Have a sense of humor.
• Show respect for others.
• Take responsibility for mistakes.

DON'T:

• Talk harshly, condescend, backstab or gossip.
• Be rude to customers.
• Badmouth the company.
• Bring your personal life to work.
• Interrupt others.
• Wear provocative clothing.
• Be a chronic complainer.