An enterprise-grade team collaboration tool is a major requisite for organizations to help streamline their internal communication and collaborate better. But is that alone enough for a workplace to be more collaborative and engaged? A healthy and blooming workplace culture with quality employee relationships is a fundamental necessity for any organization. It helps stimulate the sense of togetherness in a workspace which is essential for effective teamwork and collaboration.

Advantages of healthy relationships at work

Happiness is commonly an overlooked aspect of healthy well-being. According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, quality relationships at work contribute to an individual's happiness and health.

It motivates employees to put their best foot forward, and as know motivated employees hatch up as excellent team players.

Also, workplace conflicts are one primary reason that contributes to downturns in productivity, which affects the overall performance of the business. When a healthy relationship exists among employees and between employees and employers, there is no question of conflicts in the workplace.

Healthy workplace relationships also help reduce stress and burnout at work.

Here are 5 simple guidelines for employees to build and nurture healthy work relationships.

1. Communicate effectively

One of the major requisites for building strong work relationships is effective communication. This doesn't just mean talking—it also involves as much listening (or more). Actively listen to your colleagues or manager with an open mind and consider their input before responding. Asking questions is a great way to show you're listening, encourage open communication, and learn more about the other person. This will make it easier for your team members to come to you when they need someone to listen to or share concerns, daily triumphs, and more.

2. Schedule time to build positive work relationships

Building strong work relationships takes time and patience. It might be difficult for you to find time for socializing between your daily tasks and responsibilities. Still, it's good to make time for interacting with your coworkers to develop healthy relationships. You can schedule a time during coffee breaks or plan to socialize for 10 minutes before starting your workday or checking out at the end of the day. You can also use the beginning of your regular team meetings for this.

3. Practice consistency and trustworthiness

A solid foundation of trust is critical for any relationship, so make sure to put consistent effort into your team relationships to show you're dependable. Developing stronger work relationships is more likely when your colleagues know that they can trust and rely on you.

4. Steer clear of gossip at work

Avoid gossiping in the workplace. It may seem harmless at first, but it leads to toxicity. If you have an issue with a coworker, address it transparently and professionally instead of gossiping about the person. Gossiping will make your teammates question your credibility and make you seem less trustworthy, thus damaging work relationships.

5. Support your colleagues

Support and help your coworkers whenever you get the chance. Lending support and help when a colleague is overwhelmed with work is a great way to build a stronger bond. Offering assistance to someone when they need it increases positive morale and makes it clear you're reliable. Helping your team members when they're stuck or swamped with tasks also makes them more likely to help you out when you need it, making your team more productive and positive overall.

In a nutshell

Genuine social connections at work are crucial as they help team members feel connected and like they're part of the team. With close work friends around, employees are more likely to look forward to their workday, which can help create a more positive workplace culture.