How to enable a cohesive working environment

It’s good to talk

Effective, authentic, open and transparent communication by managers is what sets them apart and makes them a great leader. So, what about colleagues – those who we see day in and day out and whom we spend possibly more time with, than members of our own family? We spend so much time with colleagues, surely then it’s important to nurture authentic relationships with them too.

There can be so many different personalities working within a team or department, not to mention the hierarchy of differing roles and positions, continuous harmonious relationships are probably a bit unrealistic. Sometimes it results in strained communication and potential misunderstandings. It can be easy to think that we are in the right, without trying to see the other person’s point of view.

Map reading

If we did make an attempt to see things from both sides, could potential conflict be headed off at the pass?

The way to do this is to recognise that we each see the world via our individual Mental Map. Our Mental Map is the way we see the world– not as it is, but through our own filter i.e. it is skewed according to our individually held values, beliefs, experiences and expectations. Think of it as viewing life through your own prism.

If I asked two people I know to give me a list of the ten most interesting places to visit in London, I am likely to get two very different lists. The lists will be based on their perception of me and what they think I might like, plus it will be influenced by what they enjoy and find appealing. Their choices will be linked to what they value, plus their belief, experiences and expectations.

Disagreements, arguments and conflicts will be due to a difference in opinion – again based on an individual’s values, beliefs, morals etc.

In a previous blog, I have talked about the beach ball concept that we discuss on The Winning Edge course- it’s a way of understanding another’s point of view.

Tomayto, Tomahto 

Think about the graphic below:

By making the time to understand things from another person’s viewpoint, what ‘makes them tick’, what interests them, what motivates them etc, you may find some common ground that oils the wheels of communication enabling better working relationships.

In order for everyone to work effectively together, it’s important to remember we’re all human, we all have different stresses and strains to varying degrees and we all have a life outside of work with its various joys and challenges.

It doesn’t take much to build a rapport with someone- the odd chat around the water cooler or inquiring how someone’s weekend was whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, or suggesting a Teams call to touch base if you’ve only been conversing via emails of late. It’s during these exchanges you find out something about a person which can help to build a relationship with them. Before you know it, you’re easily able to strike up a conversation and you’re actually getting to know them. You never know, you might even get on with them really really well!

Goodwill, good natured

I think during these times of more and more people working from home, or hybrid working, making the effort to get to know someone, means there is less isolation. It’s so easy I think to become hermits, to exist in our own bubble and without the day-to-day contact, we lost the ability to form meaningful friendships, or effective working relationships with co-workers. Building a relationship with your colleagues will not only make for a better working team, also, if you need their help or a favour, aren’t they more likely to be accommodating if you’re seen as the colleague who bothers to get to know them?

Building a rapport with someone aIso means you’re making deposits into your Goodwill Account – it’s not about ‘you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours’ – it’s genuine.

A Goodwill Account is a very useful way to think about your relationships. You have a Goodwill Account with everyone you know- your partner, children, parents, siblings, friends, colleagues, and clients or customers you deal with. A Goodwill Account is like your bank account and what happens in your bank account? You get credits and debits. You get credits when you strengthen relationships, when you pay attention, when you remember things that are important to others, when you take an interest, when you help them out. The debits take place when you ask for favours, when you’re late for a date or a meeting, when you say you’ll do something but don’t. What happens when we take out more than we put in? We go overdrawn. How do we keep the balance in the black and keep deposits going in? When you keep doing the good stuff with no expectation of anything in return.

Making deposits in your Goodwill Account is very different to scoring brownie points – that’s when we do something because we planning to get something in return e.g. ‘If I offer to help Alan out with his new sales pitch, I can then ask him to do some research me on that new biz opportunity…’

A change in dynamics

You may well call the Goodwill Account ‘what goes around comes around’, but I believe you get out what you put in, but it’s important that it is authentic, with no intention to expect anything in return. In my opinion, it all helps to contribute towards a conducive, cohesive and pleasant working environment. That can only be a good thing, surely.

The next time you disagree with someone, think about if you can honestly say that you have made an effort to look at things from their perspective. It doesn’t mean you will change your mind, or agree with them, but it might help you to comprehend their point of view. The dynamic can surely only change if you are conscious and intentional about the part you are playing to ease the tension, and therefore the other person might feel more amenable to find a solution agreeable for you both.

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Do you find it challenging to understand another’s perspective? Is it your way or the highway?

Perhaps strengthening relationships is something you’d like to focus on– both personally and professionally.

The Mindset Coaching Membership can help you understand the tools and strategies needed. With Masterclass Teachings + Coaching + Accountability, we will help you to create the future you want. Find out more here.

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