(Editor's Note: Our regular contributor, Jennifer Taylor, is back on the blog speaking to creating meaningful relationships within the office! Read more about her at the end of the post!)
Nothing impedes an efficient workflow like office discord. In fact, the most effective offices are filled with a network of meaningful relationships where everyone is ready and willing to help one another. Not only does strong team camaraderie increase job performance, but it also boosts organizational commitment and ensures that employees look forward to going to work.
Open communication
Of course, communication is the key to any relationship but it is especially important when it comes to the people that you will be surrounded by day in and day out. When building a cohesive team of like-minded individuals, it’s essential to instill open communication into the company culture from the get-go. That way, new hires will see and understand the expectations of being a team member and will rise to the occasion. This includes (but is not limited to) things like asking questions when you need help, bringing up issues in a respectful manner and making amends for things that didn’t go quite as planned.
Teambuilding techniques
One of the best ways to develop meaningful relationships within the office is to make sure everyone is happy! Happy employees tend to work much better together, so keep their personal needs in mind. Weekly team meetings are a great way to keep everyone on the same page and ensure everyone gets face time with each other, even those they may not see on a regular basis.
Hosting a team retreat is also a great bonding experience, but keep in mind that it will require time spent out of the office. (Trust me, it’s not a bad thing!) It doesn’t have to be any place special and you don’t need to travel far, but getting everyone out of the office together brings a new element into employees’ relationships. They’ll be able to let loose for a while and connect on another level, which they will bring back to the office and I guarantee that it will show in their teamwork. Plus, we’ve always found that stepping away from the office increases productivity – everyone needs a break from time to time!
Disagreements happen – that’s a fact of life. However, developing a company culture that brings people together and creates meaningful relationships will ensure that issues can be sorted out harmoniously and everyone gets along to ensure a job well done.
Jennifer Taylor is the owner of Taylor’d Events Group, a planning firm that specializes in celebrations of all kinds in the Pacific Northwest and Maui. She is also the creator of The Taylor'd Plan, a self-administered class for wedding planners who are new to the industry and looking to grow and develop their skills.