More on Relationships

Introduction

"...leaders who prioritise relationships with their employees and lead from a place of positivity and kindness simply do better, and company culture has a bigger influence on employee well-being than salary and benefits. When it comes to cultivating happiness at work, it comes down to fostering positive relationships at work..."
Emma Seppala et al, 2022.

Five core principles for developing rewarding relationships (personal or professional)

i) transparency and authenticity (trust is pivotal; requires communications that are clear, consistent, honest and open; any lack of transparency and authenticity makes people feel disregarded and dehumanised: authenticity can mean being vulnerable;
"...Learn to communicate honestly yet compassionately. Make sure to listen and respond so that others feel heard, seen and valued..."
Emma Sepala et al, 2022)

ii) Inspiration (the ability to get the best out of yourself and others; acknowledge and celebrate each other's strengths:
"...Everyone wants to feel respected and appreciated for their individuality..."
Emma Sepala et al, 2022)

iii) emotional intelligence (being able to handle your emotions and react positively to others' emotions, especially negative ones; ability to navigate conflicts; ability to exercise self-control; ability to put relationships ahead of own needs, etc)
"...relationships are the foundation of our lives, and emotional intelligence is a foundation of good relationships. When we're emotionally intelligent, we're able to understand our own feelings and behaviours, as well as those of others. This allows us to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts in a healthy manner and build stronger, more meaningful relationships..."
Marc Brackett as quoted by Seph Fontane Pennock, 2023

(for more details, see other parts of the Knowledge Base)

iv) self-care (maintaining your own balance - includes understanding which mental states have negative impacts upon yourself; take appropriate holidays/breaks; learn techniques to help with their own recovery and build resilience)

v) values (leaders who are compassionate, generous, forgiving and ethical perform better; they keep their staff's well-being in mind; leaders and staff who share the same mindset, ie same set of expectations and priorities, perform better; and think alike, intellectually and emotionally).