A lot of people spend plenty of time at work such that it’s only inevitable to form some kind of bond with people in the workplace. However, a lot of these connections don’t always become deep-seated relationships. Many are content to refer to their office pals as no more than acquaintances.

While you can say to each his own, it’s no secret that building meaningful relationships is a key to a more fulfilling life. And if you’re going to spend half of your day in the office, you may as well build well-founded connections.

Great workplace relationships don’t only provide networking opportunities, but most importantly, they serve as a foundational force that contributes to job satisfaction. Strong workplace relationships build great teams, and great teams do great work.

As a workplace manager, employer, or employee, it’s always in your best interest to thrive with the people you work with. But what concrete practices can you take to ensure that you become a positive force in bringing people together?

Get Familiar with Workplace Culture, Policies

To function effectively in the workplace, you should know the rules that glue the organization together. In general, that includes the company’s mission and vision statement, statement of values, and code of ethics. In terms of specifics, that can include personnel function and limitations like your job description as well as standard operating procedures on certain company processes.

Knowing these guides conduct and set boundaries. It also serves as the base point for discussing things that need to be improved.

Choose to Be Positive

It helps you personally and professionally to shift perspective and put in extra effort in facing work challenges with optimism. Positivity breeds positivity, and even if the challenges are tough, positivity can be that cohesive force that gets things done. Not to mention, it makes it easier for everyone to work together and see a project to its conclusion.

Earn Respect

In order to earn respect, you must give it. Always be courteous in conduct. Do not dismiss a concern without hearing it out first. Be honest but conscientious.

Mind you, respect doesn’t always mean courtesy. You also have to have the mental toughness and sincerity to be a person who commands and deserves respect.

Always Say No to Gossip

Gossiping is one of the most common toxic office cultures that naturally kill any hope for meaningful workplace relationships. Don’t fall into the trap and get caught in the exhausting whirlwind of office gossip.

If you want to command respect, don’t invite yourself into people’s private lives. When put in the situation, always choose to not engage. You’ll save yourself the headache, and you’ll set yourself as a good example in the workplace for having good character.

Cultivate a Culture of Listening

Communication is key to any collaborative setting. Unfortunately, proper and efficient communication is usually hindered by people’s inability to listen.

Listening is an important skill that is usually overlooked or taken for granted in many social settings. So many people want to be heard but are only interested in speaking up. But to be able to build great relationships, one must be open to giving something of their own—honest and sincere attention, the most important of all.

Be Reliable

To be reliable, you must carry the burden of responsibility as a team member and as a professional who gets work done. You must also be able to separate your personal life from your professional life.

If you have to attend a night out with friends on the night before work, be sure you have appropriate measures in place to make sure you can still function efficiently at work the next day. If you want to have a long vacation with your family, make sure all your pending work is taken care of. Strive to achieve that balance and keep it.

Final Word

Building healthy relationships in the workplace starts with the individual. If you want to make your workplace connections matter, take these rules into heart, and put them into practice.