How To Improve Work Relationships

Hello, I'm Sarah Lloyd-Hughes from Ginger Training and Coaching, and today I'd like to give you a bite-size coaching technique on personal development. If you would like any more information about my self or my company, please visit go-ginger.com.

How to improve work relationships? So much of your success at work would depend on how you work together with your managers and colleagues. Here are three coaching techniques to help you improve your work relationships. Tip 1, grow big ears.

Okay, I'm not really suggesting that you should become like Dumbo, but you can use your ears as if they were as big as his. Listening is one of the most important tools for working successfully with others. The more you listen, the more information you'll pick up about what's going on and how other people are feeling about it.

Tip 2, ask more questions. Many of us hold the belief that once we're proficient at the job, we should stop asking questions. Not true! In fact, questions are our gateway to improving work relationships.

Rather than asking closed questions like “Could you do this for me?” try “How would you feel about doing this?” Rather than “Did you have a good weekend?” try “What did you get up to this weekend?” Rather than “Need any help?” try “What could I do to help you meet your target?” Generally speaking, the better the communication channel, the stronger the work relationship. Tip 3, enjoy giving praise. Many of us crave more feedback in our workplace, then why don't you start the trend by complimenting on everyone in your team at least once this week.

If it's tricky, start with something about their appearance, perhaps their new pair of shoes and progress to the things that really make difference at the workplace like “That was a great piece of work, Jenny. I really admired your focus.” The more you encourage them, and the more you reinforce the good work they have done, the more positive feedback will come back to you and the more motivated you'll end up feeling in the workplace.

I hope these tips help. Do have a look at the other videos in this series for plenty more tips on personal development, or you can head over to the Ginger Training and Coaching website, go-ginger.com, to hear about coaching programs we run for individuals and organizations.
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