Driving Culture through Healthy Relationships
By Linda Sage MA BA eD (Hons) DTM www.lindasage.com
Healthy relationships, within an organisation can serve to improve communication, teamwork and trust. As a leader, you can reinforce a culture of healthy relationships through setting strong expectations around the following 3 components
Developing an Unconditional Regard for Each Other
Having an unconditional regard for each other is at the core of healthy relationships. It is extending to each other the dignity we all deserve. Unconditional regard does not mean that we ignore ineffective /inappropriate behaviour. It means we treat the person with dignity, regardless of the behaviour. In short, we see the humanity in each individual and value them for who they are as a person.
Investing in Each Other’s Success
Taking time with people is investing in their success. When you have the foundation of regard, you can start to invest in each other’s success. The first step is creating a team that truly celebrates each other’s wins, without any feeling of jealously. When we can see each other’s success as contributing to the overall success of the team and the organisation, it becomes easier to invest in one another.
Cooperation and Teamwork
When your team has regard for each other, and is truly invested in the success of each individual, true cooperation and teamwork will follow. As the leader, reinforce teamwork, through clear goals, roles and accountabilities. Some teamwork happens in formal team arrangements, but most is in the informal cooperation that happens, day to day. Actively connect your direct reports with others within the team and in other departments to increase empathy for others’ roles and challenges, but also to develop better communication within and between departments.
As you reinforce these three components of healthy relationships, you nurture growth that builds trust, communication and true teamwork.
