3. DEFINITION
Interpersonal relationship refers to a strong
association among individuals working together in
the same organization. Employees working together
ought to share a special bond for them to deliver
their level best. It is essential for individuals to be
honest with each other for a healthy interpersonal
relationship and eventually positive ambience at the
workplace.
Interpersonal relationship skills at workplace allow a
better understanding among employees as well as
more effective communication. For individuals
spending, on average, seven to eight hours of their
day at work, it is irrational to believe they can work all
by themselves. So we all ought to have healthy
interpersonal relationships at work in order to be
able to have a friendly ambience.
4. IMPORTANCE OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AT WORK
The importance of interpersonal relationships in workplace is evident from the following benefits:
Greater employee satisfaction. An individual spends around eight to nine hours in his organization and it
is practically not possible for him/her to work all alone. Therefore, interpersonal relationships give
employees a chance to form close relationships with fellow co-workers, developing in them a sense of
joy as well as satisfaction.
Better decision-making. A single brain alone can’t take all decisions alone. Effective communication is
best possible when employees have close associations with each other that allows for effective
communication as well as some honest feedback.
Interpersonal relationship has a direct effect on the organization culture. Misunderstandings and
confusions lead to negativity at the workplace. Conflicts lead you nowhere and in turn spoil the work
environment.
We need people around who can appreciate our hard work and motivate us from time to time.
It always pays to have individuals around who really care for us.
An individual needs to get along with fellow workers to complete assignments within the stipulated time
frame. An Individual working all alone is overburdened and never finishes tasks within deadlines. Support
of fellow workers is important. You just can’t do everything on your own.
5. Nine Tips for Improving Your Interpersonal Skills
• Interpersonal skills form an integral part of your professional toolbox. From collaborating on a
project with a colleague to liaising with an important external stakeholder, you need the confidence,
empathy and communication skills to make the most of every interaction.
• Strong interpersonal skills will help you gain allies and simultaneously demonstrate to your
supervisor that you’re capable of bringing out the best in others. And that’s a key aspect of career
advancement.
Follow these nine tips to improve your interpersonal skills in the workplace:
• 1. Cultivate a positive outlook. Teach yourself to be positive by reminding yourself every day of the
good things about your life and your job. If you’re upset about a personal matter, set those feelings
aside until after work. If you’re stressed about a work issue, look for the positive in the situation and
try to build on that.
• 2. Control your emotions. Work isn’t the place to be overly emotional. Whether you’re extremely
irritated, severely depressed or ecstatically happy, take a deep breath and tone your emotions
down. Always express yourself in a calm, patient manner.
• 3. Acknowledge others’ expertise. One of the best ways to build trust at work is to let your co-
workers know you appreciate their expertise. Ask for their help on projects and give credit where
credit is due.
6. 4. Show a real interest in your colleagues. You work side-by-side with your colleagues for eight hours
every day; it’s only logical that you’ll learn something about their lives. Make a point of getting to know
what’s important to your co-workers. It will help solidify your relationships with them.
5. Find one good trait in every co-worker. Not all of us like every single person we work with but you
can’t let personal preference get in the way of peak performance. If a colleague’s personality clashes
completely with your own, the best way to handle the situation is by finding at least one good trait in that
person—preferably something professional.
6. Practice active listening. You can do this by maintaining eye contact with the speaker, nodding your
head, and repeating what he or she says in your own words. The speaker will feel respected and you’re
likely to be able to recall the conversation more easily afterwards.
7. Be assertive. Be confident in your ability and opinions, and don’t be afraid to express your needs, as
well as your limits.
8. Practice empathy. Gain a well-rounded view of things by putting yourself in other people’s shoes. This
will help you develop empathy for others, which in turn goes a long way in finding solutions that work for
all involved.
9. Maintain your relationships. Connect with college friends and former colleagues on social media or
through email; try to set up face-to-face meetings now and then. This shows your connections that you
still value the relationship—and that can go a long way in helping you advance your career.
