I am one of those fortunate people who genuinely likes my colleagues. Thankfully, the company I work for regularly promotes candidness, engagement with the job, and building internal as well as external relationships. Our five core values emphasize not only our focus on our customers, but help us grow stronger as a team. Working at JETPUBS is like being part of a second family of diverse individuals sharing the same goals: to improve the aviation industry and our customers’ lives.
Like any family or company, JETPUBS has had to work at building a culture of respect, friendliness, encouragement, and growth to move forward in the industry. We are a company comprised of talented and driven individuals, but our true power lies within the relationships we have with each other. Having good working relationships among individuals, departments, management, and a combination thereof allows us to focus on what is important and to do our jobs done efficiently. Though employee relationships may seem like a minor element of a job, having good ones makes the difference between a good company and a great one.
So, what are some ways companies can promote good relationships among coworkers? Practicing common courtesy, using effective internal communications, and respecting each other’s time are great places for both managers and employees to start.
Common Courtesy
Workplaces are a bit like having an apartment with roommates. Simple steps like washing your own dishes, throwing out your food that has been sitting in the fridge for a couple of weeks, and making new coffee when you finish off the pot are great ways to show your colleagues that you respect the common spaces. Simple gestures of kindness, like giving a friendly smile or a “hello” to each person as you walk through the building opens the door to positive relationships and creates a warm atmosphere.
Internal Communications
Some vehicles are better than others for communicating with colleagues, superiors, or employees. Try to choose the best method for each person, whether it’s a quick interdepartmental call to clarify a pressing item of business or a detailed email with a helpful subject line and a longer margin for response. For emails, avoid writing messages that are too rambling or disorganized, and only include recipients whose attention is truly required. Make clear expectations part of the communication to help the recipient plan their response with purpose and understand your needs. Never send an email that was motivated by strong emotions.
Try be understanding if a response isn’t as quick as you expect. After all, most people’s inboxes tend to fill up quickly and jobs can change from one minute to the next, making it difficult to respond in as timely a manner as we may hope, even with the best intentions to do so. Our internal communications play a big role in our working relationships. Being mindful of our messages and the way we are sending them can help us be more effective communicators and also improve our relationships.
Other People’s Time
When every person has a deadline to meet and every job is important, time can feel like a precious resource, especially when it seems like other people are constantly trying to take yours. With that in mind, interrupting others with tasks, questions, and collaboration is unavoidable. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right method for approaching a colleague, manager, or employee in order to suit the occasion and respect that other person’s resources. The way we approach people makes a big impact on their perceptions of us. If we are constantly peeking into the boss’s office with an impatient or worried expression, he or she may begin to avoid our visits, or keep the door closed to block out these unpleasant behaviors. If we bombard an employee with work-related items during the lunch hour while it is clear the other person is trying to take a break, they may begin to resent our presence. So, while it is unavoidable to need others, we can control the timing and methods with which we approach them. Try setting a calendar invite for a 15 minute collaboration, or emailing a coworker to ask if lunch would be a good time to chat about a project. If you work next door and can hear someone typing furiously or peek into their office to see them deeply focused, maybe come back later if your communication isn’t an emergency. Respecting other’s time is vital to maintaining good relationships and also promotes efficiency.
Ultimately, the underlying factor of all of these tips boils down to respect. Once each person shows their respect through their behavior at the office, their communications, and their timing, a company can really thrive because individuals feel more productive, efficient, and even happy.
– Jessica Bridger, JETPUBS Inc.