Interpersonal Relationships at Work - Interpersonal Communication

Key Themes

• Importance of workplace relationships
  • Professionalism
  • Leader-follower dynamics
  • Friendships and romantic relationships
  • Addressing problematic relationships
• Essential communication skills for the modern workplace

Professionalism

• Definition: Occupation requiring mastery of complex knowledge/skills.
• Ethics: Ethical behavior guides professional actions; lapses can have severe consequences (e.g., #MeToo, data breaches).
• Respect for Coworkers: Treat with kindness, use inclusive language.
• Personal Responsibility: Accountability for one's actions and decisions.
• Language Use: Understand formal vs. informal language, industry jargon.

Leader-Follower Relationships

• Theories of Leadership
  • Hersey and Blanchard’s Situational-Leadership Theory
    • Leadership styles: Directing, Coaching, Supporting, Delegating.
  • Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory
    • High vs. low-quality relationships impact work outcomes.
  • Followership
    • Ira Chaleff’s styles: Resource, Individualist, Implementer, Partner.

Coworker Relationships

• Characteristics: Mentoring, information sharing, power dynamics, social support.
• Types of Peer Relationships
  • Information Peers: Exchange of task-related information.
  • Collegial Peers: Moderate trust, collaboration.
  • Special Peers: High trust, emotional support.
• Development and Maintenance
  • Trust, relational maintenance, focus.
• Disengagement Tactics: State-of-the-relationship talk, cost escalation, depersonalization.

Romantic Relationships

• Statistics: 38% of workers have dated coworkers; romance often begins at work.
• Model of Romantic Workplace Relationships
  • Stages: Propinquity, attraction, relationship engagement.
• Motivations: Ease of opportunity, similarity, time, hookup.
• Outcomes: Personal, professional, organizational impacts.
• Perceptions: Trust issues, favoritism concerns, peers’ negative views.

Problematic Workplace Relationships

• Deviant Behavior: Violating organizational norms, draining resources.
• Problematic Bosses: Different, Okay, Toxic, Self-centered, Intrusive.
• Problematic Coworkers: Bully, Self-promoter, Soap Opera Star, etc.
• Problematic Subordinates: Harasser, Bully, Incompetent Renegade.

Concepts and Takeaways

• Effective workplace relationships are vital for personal and organizational success.
• Communication and ethical behavior are foundational to professionalism.
• Understanding different roles and dynamics (leader, follower, peer) enhances workplace interactions.
• Romantic relationships can complicate workplace dynamics; important to manage these well.
• Problematic relationships need to be addressed proactively to maintain a healthy work environment.

Exercises and Reflection

• Reflect on previous experiences with leadership or coworker dynamics.
• Assess personal communication and responsibility in workplace settings.
• Consider the impact of workplace relationships on job satisfaction and performance.