From Friction to Function: Transforming Team Relationships in the Workplace
Teamwork relies heavily on the relationships among team members. The productivity of the entire team is significantly affected when two individuals fail to get along with each other.
In my practice as a team coach, I've observed situations where two people clashed, viewed each other as opponents, and overlooked the fact that competition lies in the market, not within your own organization.
I must confess, it happened to me too. In my time as an executive in the corporate world of logistics, I once had a colleague? I didn't particularly like. I perceived him as self-centered, unmotivated, and dismissive. In our interactions, I found myself just waiting to get these beliefs confirmed.
Consider your own situation. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being very poor and 5 being excellent, how would you rate your relationships with your peers? Is your average rating below 3.5? Are there specific relationships you would rate below 3? If so, you are taking a gamble not only with your personal success but also with the success of your team.
From my experience, I came to understand that relationships can be improved – just like processes, systems, and products.
The way to begin is:?
Challenge your preconceptions about the humans you work with and strive to understand others more deeply. Everybody has a unique story and a wealth of experiences. Dive beneath the surface to uncover the motivations behind their behaviors and perspectives. Ask yourself what you admire in others and what valuable lessons you can learn from them—even if right now, you don’t enjoy being around them.?
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Take just a few minutes and be more intentional when setting up interactions with others. Ask yourself questions like:?
Make eye contact. Sounds too basic? Well, try it with a partner for 60 seconds.?
Looking into someone's eyes allows you to pick up on subtle facial expressions and emotions. This creates a feeling of trust and connection. A participant in one of my workshops recently said: “It is hard to be dishonest with somebody that you have looked in the eyes for a while.”
Success in business depends on relationships. Nurture them with the attention they deserve, strengthen them, and thrive collaboratively.?
When you or your team works with me privately, you receive support that helps you develop strong team relationships that lead to better outcomes—consistently and reliably.
DM me to set up a discovery call if you like what you’re reading with me each week. Let’s improve your team relationships—today.