Why Bother With Good Relationships at Work?
“I come to work to work, don’t I? I don’t need to be friends with people…”
I have heard this said a number of times throughout my career. But what if having good relationships – even friendships – at work actually makes a difference? Let’s dissect this a bit and see what we find.
What does ‘good relationship’ mean to you?
Pause for a moment and really think about this question. Think generally, not just in relation to work, if that helps you come up with some answers.
Maybe it involves good communication, openness and honesty, mutual respect?
Or perhaps a shared sense of purpose?
Maybe it’s about trust: knowing that your colleagues have your back.
Or maybe it’s about allowing you to feel confident enough to share ideas without fear of judgment?
Whatever your answer (and everyone’s answers will be different), it’s now worth asking yourself the next few questions:
Do I have good relationships at work?
- How do I know?
- What does a good working relationship look and feel like for me?
And, perhaps most importantly…
- What difference does it make to my day and my work?
Let’s explore why I believe good relationships at work matter and how you can start building stronger ones, both individually and as part of a team.
Why good relationships at work matter
The benefits of strong workplace relationships are extensive. Here are just a few statistics from research done on the topic.
Increased collaboration
When people trust one another, they’re more likely to work together productively, share ideas, and solve problems effectively. A Gallup study found that employees with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their work. Additionally, workers with close friends at work feel a stronger sense of belonging, therefore enhancing teamwork.
Resilience during challenges
In times of stress or conflict, good strong relationships act as a safety net, helping teams navigate difficulties without falling apart. Employees with positive workplace relationships handle stress and change more effectively.
Take a look at our own thoughts and advice on how to boost resilience in the workplace.
Better communication
Healthy workplace relationships improve communication, leading to enhanced creativity and improved work quality.
Higher job satisfaction
Feeling connected to colleagues makes work more enjoyable and fulfilling. According to Nectar HR, 69.5% of employees say they would be happier with deeper connections with work colleagues.
Improved performance
Teams with good relationships tend to perform better because they’re aligned, engaged, and motivated. Organisations with higher levels of employee engagement, enhanced by strong relationships, experience improved performance outcomes.
We’ve got plenty of thoughts on this too. In fact, it’s our speciality. Read our guide to developing performance cultures for the benefit of both your team and your business.
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Now let’s turn the spotlight back to you. Go back to your answers to the question above and ask yourself the following:
- What do your work relationships feel like?
- Do you see and feel the benefits above, or are there areas/relationships where things could improve?
Reflecting on your own relationships
We believe that the doing is as important as the talking and thinking, so it’s now time to grab yourself a pen and a piece of paper.
Think about your current relationships at work and scribble some thoughts down for these questions:
- Do I have a [best] friend at work? Why do I feel they are my [best] friend? What behaviours/traits do I see that I value?
- Do I feel comfortable being honest and vulnerable with my colleagues?
- Is there mutual trust and respect in my interactions?
- Do I experience more collaboration or more conflict from people I work with?
- Is there one relationship that I could/should invest more time and effort in improving? What benefits will that bring me?
Once you’ve written some thoughts down, take the time to re-read and reflect on your answers. These questions aren’t about assigning blame or feeling discouraged, they’re about awareness. Once you understand the state of your relationships, you’re better equipped to take action.
How to build stronger relationships at work
Improving your workplace relationships won’t happen overnight, but small, consistent efforts can make a big difference. As Dave Brailsford said, it’s the aggregation of “marginal gains” – lots of little things coming together to make a big difference – rather than one big thing that will fix everything.
1. Build trust
Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship. Without it, communication falters and collaboration suffers. Here are some ways you can build trust in your relationships at work:
- Be authentic, approachable & friendly: Share your thoughts and feelings openly and encourage others to do the same. People trust people they like.
- Follow through: If you commit to something, deliver on it. Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it. Reliability builds confidence, which in turn builds trust.
- Ensure that your words and actions match: Not just some of the time, but all of the time. For example, if you regularly talk about the benefits of living by company values, you best make sure you really are living by them! Keep the ‘say-do’ gap as small as possible to build trust in your actions. There’s no room here for “do as I say, not as I do”.
2. Encourage open communication
Encourage honest and respectful dialogue. Create opportunities for colleagues and team members to share their perspectives and actively listen without interrupting. Listen more than you speak.
3. Show appreciation regularly
Recognise your colleagues’ and team’s contributions. A simple “thank you” or acknowledgment of effort can go a long way in strengthening connections.
Approximately 90% of employees who receive regular thanks or recognition from their boss report feeling high levels of trust in that individual. Forbes, 2022
4. Invest in one-to-one relationships
Take time to understand your colleagues as individuals. What motivates them? What challenges are they facing? This personal insight deepens trust and empathy.
5. Address conflict
Healthy relationships don’t avoid conflict, they manage it constructively. Approach disagreements with curiosity rather than defensiveness. Talk things through and work towards mutually beneficial solutions.
A challenge for you
This week, take one small step towards improving a work relationship. Maybe you’ll do that through having a candid conversation, offering thanks or a compliment on a job well done, or simply asking someone how they’re doing. Reflect on the impact it has on them, on you, and on broader team dynamics.
Remember, strong relationships don’t just happen, they’re built bit by bit. By prioritising trust and taking consistent, thoughtful actions, you can create a workplace where connections thrive and success follows.
So, what will you do differently? Let me know what you tried and what happened. Did it work? If not, what could you do differently next time?
Author: Heather Grisedale, Experience & Engagement Lead
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