I have spent the last five years focusing on work relationships. While I have a great deal of experience helping address unhealthy work relationships, I am also effective in helping people address deteriorating relationships outside the confines of the workplace. There are similarities and differences between work and non-work relationships.
The primary purpose of workplace relationships is to collaborate in a manner that helps organizations achieve their missions. Good work relationships are cordial and professional. If it weren’t for the organization many would have no reason to have a relationship at all. However, there are occasions when co-workers develop close personal friendships. That is great as long as they don’t exclude others and continue contributing to their organization’s mission. That’s a win-win.
However, poor work relationships are detrimental to the achievement of operations, customer service, and ultimately to an organization’s mission. Poor work relationships can lead to a toxic environment. My primary objective as a work relationship coach is to help employees focus on their roles in the organization and how their performance contributes to organizational success. I allow them to remove distractions and unnecessary impediments that interfere with productivity.
Relationships outside the workplace can be more complex. For example, employees are hired to work for and with others. The ambitious want to achieve status in their careers and climb the “corporate ladder.” You could call their work relationships transactional. Other relationships are (for lack of a better term) relational. Individuals come together because there is an attraction and a level of intimacy. Although patriarchal cultures are somewhat hierarchical, intimate relationships are usually egalitarian.
Today the rules of engagement between work and intimate partner relationships are quite different. Feelings and emotions play a much more significant role in relational relationships than transactional ones. Communication styles, trust, history, ambition, dual careers, roles, children, and extended family are but a few of the issues that need to be navigated. No wonder the average marriage lasts approximately seven years. That is why it is so important for couples to check in with a detached third party when issues are small or before issues arise. I get a physical every six months and every three months for the dentist. I even had a car tune-up every four months (or 3,000 miles). Are any of these things as important as your intimate partner? If not, then put your intimate partner first. I suggest getting a relationship checkup at least once a year. Remember, relationships work for those who work on them. That’s how to create a win-win at home.
Feel free to share examples of how you work on your relationships at home and work. To learn more about my coaching practice visit: www.ProDestinyCoaching.com