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Creating and maintaining positive relationships in the office is essential for fostering a healthy work environment. I should know – I've moved 18 times in my life and have always had to work to build relationships with new people!
When I started my job as a human resources business partner at Schneider, I quickly saw how the company creates a collaborative workplace where everyone can thrive. It helped me develop relationships with my team and made me feel like I could be myself with them.
If you’re wondering how to build relationships at work, try using my five actionable strategies to help you make strong connections with your team members.
5 tips to building professional relationships
1. Practice active listening.
Building work relationships starts with being an effective listener. It shows others their thoughts and opinions matter.
Active listening is not just hearing words but understanding and responding to them thoughtfully. You can practice this skill by:
2. Take time to get to know your colleagues.
Getting to know the people you work with builds trust and rapport among teams. When you take the time to understand your colleagues, you create a sense of community within your organization.
To put this into practice at Schneider, my leader has new associates present a ‘get-to-know-you' PowerPoint to the team. When I put together my slides, I included information on my family, work background, goals and hobbies. This created a small foundation for my colleagues to build upon as they got to know me better.
If your leader doesn’t initiate this type of activity, there are plenty of other ways you can get to know your coworkers. During a meal break or over a coffee in the breakroom, ask team members non-work-related questions to learn more about their backgrounds and personalities. Consider asking these types of questions:
3. Support your team.
Being a reliable teammate strengthens relationships in the workplace. Offering support when needed makes your peers feel valued and shows you’re someone they can count on.
If a colleague needs help with a project, for example, you can:
Some teams at Schneider will meet on a biweekly or monthly basis to talk about what projects they’re working on and any roadblocks they’re facing. Doing this keeps everyone informed and ensures people are supported if they need extra help.
4. Have open communication.
Having good communication etiquette is important in any professional setting. It promotes a respectful and collaborative work environment, which lays a strong foundation for building positive professional relationships.
Many leaders at Schneider will have an ‘expectations exchange’ with new associates to promote open communication from day one. This formal process includes a written note from both the associate and the leader outlining their expectations for one another.
You can encourage open communication among your team by:
5. Be kind.
Kindness is a powerful tool for creating meaningful connections with coworkers. Small gestures like a warm smile or a genuine compliment can go a long way in setting the tone for positive relationships.
Just remember to be authentic in your interactions. Sincerity is key to building trust and ensuring your gestures have a lasting impact. Plus, people want to get to know the real you!
