Do relationships at work matter?
I’m a get-down-to-business kind of gal. I love action plans, a good agenda, and a to-do list. Early in my career, my thought was that my work product would prove my worth. This focus did result in great results but only to a point. I learned the lesson of the need to develop relationships that changed my thinking, and the stories stay with me today.
In my early 30s, I got a new job that was a big promotion. I worked in a small, corporate office for a new leader who wanted to transform the business practices. I was up for the challenge. Knowing how much needed to be done and balancing the life of a working mother, I would come to work, go to my office, and work. A few months into the job, my new boss asked to meet with me. He told me that the CEO's executive assistant shared that she and the other assistants did not like me. Their impression was that I thought I was better than them, which could not have been further from the truth as I understood that the efforts of these women made the office run smoothly and efficiently. His advice was that I take time to get to know them. So, I slowed down, and took the time to talk with them, sharing stories about my children and learning about theirs. Ultimately, I enjoyed these work friendships, and they helped me navigate pushing forward my work product.
As human beings can do, we fall back on old habits. I entered a new role at the same company and was charged with the implementation of a new financial reporting system. I inherited a team and while I was friendly, I fell back into my habit of being business first. We brought in a consultant to assist and while at dinner one evening she shared that she was pleased to have developed a relationship with me that was focused on more than just the project. She further shared that, as a leader, I needed to let people know me. Not just as their manager but as a person. I needed to be vulnerable. Wow! What did that mean? For me, it meant sharing my doubts about the project with the team. Not always putting on the game face but letting them know that I shared their concerns and that we would figure it out. I continued this practice with future teams.
The need to nurture relationships at work stayed with me for the remainder of my career and relationship building is the foundation of my business as a life coach. When people know you, they grow to trust you. Many times, I found myself facing opposition to a new idea or project and it was only because of my relationships that I was successful in pushing forward.
If you find yourself rushed and solely focused on the task at hand, slow down. Take time to get to know the people you work with and, share important things about yourself too. It will result in more success than had you not done this, and you will have the added benefit of enjoying your work relationships.