Improve Interpersonal Relationships in the Workplace
Workplace friendships spark joy, reduce stress, and open career doors. I’ll share my story of how avoiding coworkers cost me a job, but building bonds led to my first professional career success. Then, we dive into five easy ways to build those interpersonal relationships in the office. Each tip is simple, actionable, and proven to make work more enjoyable (and more lucrative for you.)
If you’re a team leader, we’ve got you covered with interpersonal skill workshops to inspire your team to connect. These strategies create a positive work environment and set both you and your team up for success.
For easy access, here are links to each part of the post:
- Why You Should Develop Interpersonal Relationships at Work. (Hint: You’ll Be Happier and Make More Money).
- 5 Easy Interpersonal Skills You Can Apply at Work Right Away.
- Are You a Team Leader that Wants Your Team to Respect Each Other and Communicate Better? Click Here.
A Few Selfish Reasons to Focus on Your Workplace Relationships. (You’ll be Happier, And… Possibly Make More Money.)
Workplace friendships make mornings brighter. They turn coffee breaks into laughs. Strong ties with team members boost job satisfaction. You’ll feel supported, not stressed. A positive vibe fuels your energy. You’ll tackle tasks with a smile.
But it’s more than just warm fuzzies. Strong interpersonal relationships also drive career advancement. When your team members like and trust you, they’ll pitch you for big projects. And trust me, bosses notice this kind of teamwork. That’s how you’ll land promotions or score a raise.
Building these bonds is simple. Listen well. Say thanks often. Be the teammate everyone trusts. Workplace relationships ignite creativity, too. You’ll crack problems faster with friends. That impresses the higher-ups. It sets you up for success.
These workplace friendships also make the workday go by faster (and more enjoyably.) Face it, we’re all going to have rough days at work. But when you face these challenges with trusted friends, you’ll tackle the challenges much easier. Your workplace colleagues become your safety net. So, strong interpersonal relationships aren’t just nice—they’re smart.
Invest in your team members, and you’ll love your job more. You might even earn more. Keep reading to learn how to make it happen. Your future self will thank you.
If You Isolate Yourself from Your Coworkers, You May Potentially Stall Your Career Path.
The next summer, though, the energy industry was in trouble. Atlantic Richfield had greatly reduced their intern program. I ended up qualifying for an internship at a much smaller company for a whole lot less pay.
Then, by the time I graduated, the industry was at it’s lowest point in decades. Job opportunities dried up. I ended up working for a tiny company making just a little over minimum wage.
To make matters worse, since I was new to the industry, I had no idea how to do the job I was hired for. And the tiny company had no training to teach me. I came into work every day hoping that my boss wouldn’t realize that I was totally unprepared for the job he hired me to do. A couple of coworkers could have easily helped me if I had just asked them. However, I was nervous and embarrassed. So, I just avoided them as much as possible.
Eventually, my boss let me go. I was devastated. My isolation from the team caused what I was trying to avoid.
After some soul-searching, I got a sales job. The boss who hired me also provided me with very little training. This time, though, I tried something different. At the first sales meeting, I got to know the other salespeople. One by one, I went to each asking, “I’ve never done any sales before. Do you have any advice to help me start on the right foot?”
However, If You Build Relationships with Your Coworkers, You’ll Open Doors to New Career Paths!
One of my coworkers, Tommy, was an older man with 30+ years of sales experience. He was also the company’s top salesman. When I asked him the question, he shared a story about how the real secret to success in sales is solving problems for your customers. That way, when they have future problems, they come back to you for help.
This wisdom was in the walls of our office every day. However, the little training I got wouldn’t have given me this wisdom. But the relationship I developed with my coworkers did. Six months later, the sales manager who hired me left the company. The big boss drove in from the company headquarters and asked Tommy if he wanted the job. Tommy told him that he had already paid his dues in management years ago. He encouraged the boss to give me the job.
By the way, the boss was a little hesitant. I had a total of six months of experience. But in those six months, I was second only to Tommy in total sales for the whole year. (And I was likely to pass him soon.) The boss went to a few of my coworkers, asking them if they thought I’d be a good choice for the management position. Each one agreed with Tommy.
That simple change in how I interacted with my coworkers led to an entirely new career. In fact, my first bonus check as a sales manager was more than my entire paycheck from the company I got fired from less than a year earlier.
Five Easy Ways to Build Strong Interpersonal Relationships with Your Team Members.
A positive interpersonal relationship goes a long way toward reducing stress and aligning common goals. Below are five small but practical steps that build these strong connections.
First, try showing respect to spark trust with your team. Then, listen actively to encourage open communication. In addition, you want to align your body language to show you’re engaged. You can also mentor new hires as another interpersonal relationship strategy. This shows leadership while building those team bonds. And finally, steer clear of workplace romances to keep those connections professional.
These strategies transform your communication style, making work rewarding and opening career doors.
1) Good Interpersonal Relationships in the Office Begin with Mutual Respect of Your Coworkers.
Respect is the cornerstone of positive relationships. Get to know team members on a personal level — ask about their weekend plans, their family, or their favorite sports team. This type of conversation builds workplace friendships that will likely increase job satisfaction.
When coworkers offer a different opinion, show them that you value their input, even if you don’t agree. This prevents interpersonal conflict and fosters trust. For example, you might just nod and say, “Good point,” instead of disagreeing right away. This slight change can help align everyone toward common goals versus getting distracted by disagreements. (And you’ll be amazed at how often that other opinion will grow on you as you collect more data.)
In addition, a respectful attitude makes work a better place to come to each Monday morning. For instance, we often overlook coworkers when they do a great job because, well, that’s their job. However, you might thank a coworker for their help occasionally with a quick, “You saved me there!” This slight gratitude strengthens positive relationships and makes you a go-to team player. By the way, bosses notice interactions like this, which can lead to career advancement.
Respect isn’t just polite—it’s strategic. It creates a team that tackles challenges together, reducing stress and boosting productivity. These workplace friendships will lead to a happier, more successful career.
You can start applying this tip right away. Just ask one coworker something personal, like their favorite hobby. You’ll build trust and enjoy work more.
2) You Also Want to Encourage Open Communication with Your Coworkers.
Interpersonal communication skills are probably, by far, the most important interpersonal skill in business. Open communication builds strong work relationships. It also keeps everyone on your team on the same page.
Unfortunately, in most cases, people think of effective communication in terms of what is being said. However, that is only half of the communication equation. An absolute perfect piece of information can be spoken, but if the listener misunderstands or is confused, the communication process breaks.
So, instead, practice active listening. Listen to your coworkers to gain understand — not to respond to them. Maintain eye contact and ask pertinent clarifying questions. This skill shows your team members that you’re engaged, fostering good communication. This approach also improves the workplace friendships we talked about earlier.
If you have smart team members who rarely voice their opinions, ask questions like, “What are your thoughts on this plan?” You’ll likely spark a new discussion and get input that wouldn’t otherwise be voiced.
Most importantly, though, don’t interrupt your coworkers. Let them finish their ideas. This prevents misunderstandings or jumping to the wrong conclusion. By the way, when your team members see that they are able to express themselves without being interrupted or chastised, it will encourage others to share. This will create more of a collaborative vibe in your team meetings.
Open communication like this has a higher chance to also impress the boss — positioning you for career advancement.
Try this at your office. Listen fully to one coworker’s idea today without checking your phone and without interrupting. You’ll build stronger bonds and feel the team’s energy grow. It’s a simple step to a happier, more successful workday.
3) Your Body Language Needs to Be Congruent with Your Communication with Your Team Members.
Body language is critical to building strong work relationships. It’s not just what you say—it’s how you look saying it. Use open facial expressions, like a genuine smile, to show your positive attitude. Maintain eye contact when a team member speaks, say, during a project update. This builds workplace friendships that increase job satisfaction. For instance, nod slightly to show you’re following along. By the way, you’ll be amazed how this small gesture makes coworkers feel valued.
Non-verbal cues matter just as much as words. If you’re discussing common goals, like meeting a deadline, let your posture show enthusiasm—stand tall or lean in slightly. Incongruent cues, like checking your phone while saying, “Great idea,” spark interpersonal conflict. Avoid slouching or fidgeting; it signals disinterest. Consistent body language fosters trust, making work a more collaborative place and strengthening those workplace friendships we’ve discussed.
Bosses notice body language. When you project confidence and engagement, it positions you for career advancement. Try this today. In one meeting, smile, maintain eye contact, and nod while a coworker talks. You’ll see stronger bonds form, and work will feel less stressful. This simple habit makes you a team standout and boosts your career.
4) Want to Be Seen as a Leader? Look for Easy Ways to Mentor New Employees.
Mentoring new employees is a powerful way to build strong work relationships and show your leadership skills. By the way, it’s not a hard thing to do. You can develop a mentoring relationship by just saying, “I’m here if you need guidance.” Then, share a few practical tips for hitting common goals, like how to prioritize tasks in a busy week.
This little support builds workplace friendships that boost job satisfaction. For example, you could walk a newbie through a software tool they’re struggling with. You’ll be surprised how much this small act makes them feel part of the team.
Ask them about their career goals or early challenges. Mentoring isn’t just helping them; it shows leadership, which bosses notice for career advancement. Share a quick story of your own rookie mistakes to make them feel at ease. It creates a supportive vibe that makes work more rewarding for everyone.
Start today by helping one new hire with a small task, like drafting an email. You’ll lift their confidence and feel great about contributing.
5) Romantic Relationships at Work Can Create Unintended Challenges. So Be Cautious.
Workplace romances can complicate strong work relationships, so tread carefully. Close friendships are fantastic, but romantic ones often lead to interpersonal conflict. Keep a positive attitude by staying professional. Set clear boundaries, like saving personal talks for after hours. For instance, don’t linger at your coworker’s desk while the coworker is trying to work.
Professional relationships are your career’s foundation. Romances risk shaking that. With that being said, though, (if you are single) you’ll likely be spending hours every workday with other single coworkers. And, inevitably, because of those strong working relationships, romance may develop. And believe me, I am no expert on this part of the topic. But, from what I’ve seen in my decades as a business owner, the risks of office romances far outweigh the potential benefits.
Think about what might happen if the romantic relationship ends badly. How would you feel coming into the office the morning after the breakup?
So, stick to building workplace friendships for a smoother, happier workday and a clearer path to career advancement.
Are You the Boss? Here Are a Few Ways to Encourage Your Team to Improve Workplace Interpersonal Relationships.
It starts with leadership skills that inspire action. Your team is always watching you looking for the example of what you want them to do. When you prioritize healthy relationships, your team will follow your example.
The good news is that we can help! The Leaders Institute ® offers practical tools to help your team build strong connections. We can lead workshops to help you and your team hone these interpersonal skills, creating a more positive work environment. The workshops below are a few of the most popular that we offer. You can view a complete list by clicking here: Training Workshop to Develop Team Culture.
A Few Interactive Workshops that Can Help You Improve Interpersonal Relationships in Your Team.
- High Impact Leaders – High Impact Leaders is a two-day interactive leadership development program that focuses on building mutual respect (Tip 1) and a team mentality in the workplace. Participants will improve communication both verbally (Tip 2) and in their body language (Tip 3). We also show them how to mentor and coach the next generation of leaders (Tip 4). This is one of the most comprehensive leadership development programs ever created!
- Creating a Team Culture – This interactive workshop is the 1/2-day version of High Impact Leaders. The workshop improves company culture by cultivating respect among coworkers (Tip 1). Modules in this workshop also improve communication and listening (Tip 2), and introduces a simple way to mentor team members (Tip 4).
- Build Trust and Communication Skills – This 1.5 hour interactive workshop module is the first part of Creating a Team Culture. This module builds trust and respect among team members (Tip 1) and improves improve communication and listening (Tip 2).
For Details about Any of These Workshop, Click the Link in the Description or Complete this Form.
