There ‘ain’t nuttin’ but relationships.
You say you’re not a psychologist, and you don’t even like Dr. Phil. You think you are doing just fine with colleagues. You feel like you can win friends and influence people.
So, what’s the big deal?
Just wait till the conflict shows up.
Even with virtual teams, office politics is one of the biggest wasters of productivity and success. Look at the present scene in Washington D.C. for a primer on office drama.
When you were honing your business skills, your leadership development, how much time did you spend learning to really understand relationships?
Take a page from Dale Carnegie, who knew how to win friends and influence people.
“When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion…”
Here are some tips to whet your appetite for studying about relationships at work and how to diminish (you’ll never be totally rid of) conflict and drama at work.
#1: There are 13 major behavior patterns, you can call them habits, we all learn from our original organization, the family. Did this pique your interest, or make you gag?
#2: What we learned about fairness, favoritism, betrayal, backstabbing was learned as we participated in the interactions at home. What major behaviors cause you frustration working with others?
#3: Here are the 13 patterns. Super achiever, procrastinator, rebel, clown, persecutor (aka bully), victim, rescuer, martyr, pleaser, avoider, denier, splitter, drama queen/king. Which pattern has your name on it? If you are alive and breathing, at least one pattern belongs to you.
#4: All behavior patterns are interactive. You play a role and so does everyone else. It’s not just them. Pay attention when your buttons of annoyance get pushed. What do you do when someone drives you snorting nuts?
#5: By observing, understanding, and transforming the outdated behavior patterns that keep you stuck, you can get through workplace conflict faster and smarter.
Here’s what President Theodore Roosevelt said about relationships, so pay attention: “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.”
And sage Peter Drucker, stated, “The most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.”
Now for the good news. When you take the time to dig deep and learn all you can about the inner aspects of relationships at work, you get a bonus. Whatever you learn at work, you can take home and have a happier partner and happier kids.
Relationships are the glue to product development, sales, marketing, strategy, and creativity. Make studying this area one of your most important tasks as an entrepreneur and leader.
Want more great information? Sign up for Dr. Lafair’s weekly newsletter here!
Originally published at Inc