Relationship skills
Good relationship at workplace between employees irrespective of their positions in hierarchy in the organisation is the essence not only of talent management but also of business growth. Successful managers are always very sensitive in maintaining their workplace relationship upwards-with bosses, downwards-with subordinates and horizontally - with colleagues. Unfortunately this important aspect of managing the organisation does not receive the attention it requires.
The skills of managing self and this relationship cross functionally cannot be overlooked even if a manager is extraordinarily competent technically and functionally. The manager, poor in the skills of taking care of relationship, hardly survives long in the organisation.
Every employee is different in respect of perspective, thought process and style of working. The skill of relationship is a deliberate effort to bring understanding and cooperation between individuals for smooth functioning by giving space to each other. Failure in managing this relationship results in to misunderstanding, lower visibility and reduced influence in the organisation leading to no achievement and non recognition of what one manager does. It squarely depends on how best one keeps relationship with his seniors, subordinates and peers. One needs to understand common goals and objectives, expectations of senior management, strengths and weaknesses of bosses and collaborate with all to demonstrate effectiveness. To increase own power in the organisation, one should excel in managing relationship across the levels.
The ways to manage boss, subordinates and colleagues are different. While having good relationship with boss, one needs to understand his expectations and priorities and act accordingly by establishing own credibility, skills required to manage relationship with subordinates and peers are persuasiveness, emotional stability, empathy, ability to resolve conflicts and self discipline. It helps deciding each other's priorities and style of functioning.
In such relationships conflicts are bound to come and ability to resolve quickly is equally an important skill. Rather it supplements relationship skills. Managers need to devote much time on improving self awareness, accepting feedback constructively to improve personally and professionally and not rejecting as mere criticism. Changing some habits, traits and styles may bring ease in maintaining good workplace relationship. Conflicts should neither be ignored, nor shifted to someone by blaming. Better to handle directly and going deep into causes and take corrective actions.
This issue cover story is all about managing up and down- the aspect which though talked about much but hardly taken seriously by managers. The practicing professionals bring their piece of experience and guide for all on how to excel on this front.
If you like it let us know. If not, well, let us know that too.
Happy Reading!
From India, Delhi
Good relationship at workplace between employees irrespective of their positions in hierarchy in the organisation is the essence not only of talent management but also of business growth. Successful managers are always very sensitive in maintaining their workplace relationship upwards-with bosses, downwards-with subordinates and horizontally - with colleagues. Unfortunately this important aspect of managing the organisation does not receive the attention it requires.
The skills of managing self and this relationship cross functionally cannot be overlooked even if a manager is extraordinarily competent technically and functionally. The manager, poor in the skills of taking care of relationship, hardly survives long in the organisation.
Every employee is different in respect of perspective, thought process and style of working. The skill of relationship is a deliberate effort to bring understanding and cooperation between individuals for smooth functioning by giving space to each other. Failure in managing this relationship results in to misunderstanding, lower visibility and reduced influence in the organisation leading to no achievement and non recognition of what one manager does. It squarely depends on how best one keeps relationship with his seniors, subordinates and peers. One needs to understand common goals and objectives, expectations of senior management, strengths and weaknesses of bosses and collaborate with all to demonstrate effectiveness. To increase own power in the organisation, one should excel in managing relationship across the levels.
The ways to manage boss, subordinates and colleagues are different. While having good relationship with boss, one needs to understand his expectations and priorities and act accordingly by establishing own credibility, skills required to manage relationship with subordinates and peers are persuasiveness, emotional stability, empathy, ability to resolve conflicts and self discipline. It helps deciding each other's priorities and style of functioning.
In such relationships conflicts are bound to come and ability to resolve quickly is equally an important skill. Rather it supplements relationship skills. Managers need to devote much time on improving self awareness, accepting feedback constructively to improve personally and professionally and not rejecting as mere criticism. Changing some habits, traits and styles may bring ease in maintaining good workplace relationship. Conflicts should neither be ignored, nor shifted to someone by blaming. Better to handle directly and going deep into causes and take corrective actions.
This issue cover story is all about managing up and down- the aspect which though talked about much but hardly taken seriously by managers. The practicing professionals bring their piece of experience and guide for all on how to excel on this front.
If you like it let us know. If not, well, let us know that too.
Happy Reading!
From India, Delhi
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