On the Job: Relationship Building

If you manage or supervise staff, it's vital to develop an individual relationship with each person on your team. Part of being a good manager is knowing what your staff. It's hard to be a good boss if you are put a wall between your office and their desks.

Some of the best ways to create indivudal relationships include:

• Impromptu (or planned) individual meetings - They don't have to be long, just enough to "catch up" about their work (or life outside the office). Having one-on-one times lets your staff talk to you in a less formal manner.
• Providing comments - Positive or negative, you have to talk to your staff to get to know them and their work. This is best done in person, but you can create a running dialogue via e-mail. Commenting on your staff member's work lets them know that you are aware of what is going on in the office.
• Noticing change - If a staff member redecorates their cubicle or hangs a picture up, mention it. If they've suddenly cut their hair, or are wearing a festive article of clothing, when appropriate, say something. You don't have to stalk your staff to see "what's new," but you can let them know that you're aware something has changed.
• Remembering details - If an employee says their seeing a movie that night, ask what they thought the next day. If your staffer has kids, ask how their t-ball league is going. You don't have to remember every detail, just enough to show that you are paying attention.
• Listening - When a staff member asks you a question, comments on a project, or otherwise gets your attention about anything - listen. This is the key point to being a manager. If you have open ears and a welcoming attitude, your staff will come to you (or wave you over when you walk by their desk).

Not all of these methods work for every employee or every office. That's the the reason you have to work at building these relationships. You can't be a good manager from afar. You have to know what's going on, and the best way to do that is to develop a good relationship with each of your staff members.

The key point to all of this is to lessen the "Ack! The boss is talking to me" anxiety that occurs when a boss is more standoffish. Your staff should not be afraid of you. You're human, and your employees should know that you enjoy their company and appreciate their contributions to the office.


How do you build relationships with your staff?