Building Relationships

Tip #1 Appreciate and Respect Others

 

The other person is important. You have little to gain if you choose to deny this. Your relationships with employees and coworkers are not subsidiary to the work you all come together to do; rather, strong relationships are essential to doing that work--especially if you want to do that work well.

 

People are much more than simply what their job description implies. You are able to learn from others' experiences that which you could not from simply the experiences you've had. Begin to foster the possibilities by employing some of the following Human Relations Principles:

• Become genuinely interested in other people
• Smile
• Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves
• Talk in terms of the other person's interests
• Make the other person feel important -- and do it with sincerity

Tip #2 Build Your Human Relations Skills
To build your human relation skills, try to:

• Talk in terms of the other person's interest.
• Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
• Be a good listener.
• Encourage others to talk about themselves.
• Be genuinely interested in others.

Tip #3 Be a Good Listener
Listening skills are an integral part of building relationships in the workplace. Use the following acronym to help you remember how to employ better listening skills:
LADDER 

• Look at the other person.
• Ask questions.
• Don't interrupt.
• Don't change the subject.
• Express emotion with control.
• Respond appropriately.

 

Tip #4 Make a Good First Impression
First impressions are often lasting impressions. Each time a new person meets you, that person takes just ten seconds to form a whole laundry list of impressions, beliefs, or assumptions regarding who you are and what you are about. Follow these tips for imparting a good first impression on others:

• Good posture
• Neat appearance
• Positive non-verbal communication
• Eye contact
• Confident handshake