According to a statistic, around fifty-seven per cent of employees were not presented with definite instructions.
While in a similar finding, over sixty per cent of managers find it uncomfortable connecting with the employees.
So, what does this mean for the managers and employees? Since we all know that strong, healthy communication is very important in a workspace. Consider it as the core of every business. Workers who lack the words to interact with their associates or bosses might end up getting burn out. You could even miss out on your chance of securing the job and progressing in your career.
On the other hand, managers who communicate ineffectively may eventually lose competent employees. And even if you hire continuously to fill the gap of those who decided to leave your team, the cycle will just continue.
All companies need a group of happy people to thrive. The secret? It’s cultivating high-quality connections to induce and maintain a positive workspace relationship!
What does it mean by High-Quality Connection?
High-Quality Connection (HQC) is a unique, practical concept that was formulated through research headed by Professor Jane E. Dutton of the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan.
According to her, it is one of the vital elements for encouraging good relationships in the workplace.
It is defined as a dyadic, short-range positive work interaction that is acknowledged by common trust, regard, and active engagement between people. Hence, leaving them stouter both psychologically and physiologically.
How can you cultivate more high-quality connections?
Imagine this scenario:
Going on a team building event and most of your colleagues doing are giving full attention to their mobile phones.
Reporting to your boss in his office about a particular project and all you get in response is ‘okay,’ ‘ah huh,’ or any bland answer.
Both situations can give you a frustrating feeling, agree? And presumably, many of you have experienced the same or related situations.
Professor Dutton highlights 4 major strategies that any employee and company can adopt to establish high-quality connections within the workplace.
These are upholding a respectful engagement, offering expert support, trusting other persons, and playing often.
Task-Facilitator
Another core element to enable high-quality connection is by being a task-enabler.
This means giving skilful support to one another. Determine and give the needs of other people to become successful.
The good news, there’s a myriad of resources you can offer, including reinforcement, guidance, task details, and emotional support.
A five-minute favour won’t hurt as long as it is within your capability. Both persons solicit and provide feedback that best matches the resources. And you may not be fully aware, but a single suggestion or idea is a huge help in helping a person succeed in work.
Build Trust
We understand it. Some have trust issues, perhaps due to prior experience. It is definitely difficult to leave those lingering beliefs and acuities behind.
But if part of your motivation is to create a high-quality connection among peers, all you can do is try until those broken pieces become whole again. It is not easy, and the process may take time.
According to Professor Dutton, help those you know have the best interest. Be open, competent, and dependable.
Eventually, you can make an excellent start in obtaining trust and feeling more comfortable at having faith in people.
Playing
Too much work can lead to stress and break down. You should take part in playful behaviour at some point in your life.
Although, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should be playful to the point of triggering a negative reaction from others.
There are several ways to do it. For instance, in indoor team building activities, we can add in lighthearted activities. This will not only provide good memories but also strengthen the bond among colleagues.
Another example is when having a meeting, team leaders can start by asking provocative or fun questions to each member.
Doing so will encourage creative thinking, which they may also need during the important session.
Respectful Engagement
Perhaps the most important element of a good workspace communication.
Technology truly paved the way to make things easier for humans to communicate and do essential activities that were deemed impossible before.
But there’s a flip side to the story, as they say. Look around, and you’ll see most people are glued to their mobile phones.
Instead of appreciating the golden sunshine, taking advantage of the beautiful nature, and spending more quality time with their loved ones, friends, and colleagues, they normally give their all-out attention to the gadget.
The same goes for work. It’s really discouraging when you are sharing views or ideas about a certain subject, yet their attention is being diverted to other things.
Respectful engagement is one of the most important work relationship. For instance, managers who conduct regular one-on-ones with their employees are able to understand their strengths and areas that need further development.
In workforces, they are given a chance to evaluate how their managers prefer them to work and predict their needs. And for fellow workers, isn’t it nice to share the same excitement for an upcoming project, share the same laugh for trivial things, and share the same smile when greeting each other on the corridor?
We all feel heard, appreciated, and respected when someone lends us their complete attention. Thus, Professor Dutton recommends increasing your presence and attention to other people. Put down what you have for a while and listen actively.
Whichever method you choose, you can assure it will help you in building a sturdy HQC. Choose one that fits well to your situation, or select all.
Ready to strive for high-quality connections?
How often have you been politely engaging with your colleagues?
Establishing good rapport in the workspace needs not to be a gigantic effort. It all starts with a respectful engagement by active listening, along with other elements we have expressed above.
For more information on the team building program, you can send a message through email Contact@Experiential-Training.com, and the trainer will contact you promptly.