RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - May 24 - Flipbook - Page 30
Borrowing the outcomes from leadership
literature and social psychology research on
interpersonal relationships, they identify 5
principles for improving work relationships, aimed
at making relationships 昀氀ourish both in the work
and personal context. They are –
1. Transparency and authenticity
4. Self-care
Clear, consistent, honest, and open communication
is essential for a healthy work relationship. The key
element is trust. There is solid research showing
that authenticity and transparency are critical to
e昀昀ective leadership.
Maintaining positive connections requires energy.
Exercising self-care to nurture and honour the
mental balance and health of employees is
impossible if leaders are not 昀椀rst a琀琀ending to their
own wellbeing.
Key takeaway – leaders need to focus on ensuring
their soft skills are just as strong as their technical
skills. The ability to listen without judgement and
respond so employees feel heard, seen and valued.
Key takeaway – taking vacations and making
the most of time-o昀昀 is a way to allow leaders to
recharge and be at their best for their employees.
2. Inspiration
To inspire others by maintaining the best version
of ourselves. In employee-leader relationships,
employees feel inspired by their leaders’
perspective of them and this also inspires them to
improve.
Key takeaway – exercises such as 360-degree view
exercises help by understanding how others see us.
5. Values
There is robust research showing that when
teams share the same approach to projects with
consistent expectations and priorities, they perform
be琀琀er.
Key takeaway – communicating goals clearly with
employees and respect di昀昀erences in how they
approach work. Connectedness requires being on
the same page emotionally as well as intellectually.
3. Emotional intelligence
Self-awareness, self-control and to act with skill
and compassion toward others.
Key takeaway – empathy is the key soft skill leaders
need to develop though learning and development
leader programs.
Working on building and
maintaining healthy work
relationships bene昀椀ts everyone
and organisations thrive under
such leadership. Leaders who
can balance their soft and
technical skills hold the key to
improved engagement and
performance of their people.