Building solid relationships in the workplace is crucial for a harmonious and productive environment. Whether interacting with your boss, leading a team, or collaborating with colleagues, understanding how to nurture these connections can make a significant difference in your professional life.
Employers typically hire candidates they like and want to work with, no matter which job they are hiring for. For job candidates, balancing the authentic expression of your true self, empathy for others, and personal respect is paramount to finding success.
Empathy drives connection
It’s essential to recognize that different Motivations drive people. Motivation Code identifies eight Motivational Dimensions: Achiever, Driver, Influencer, Learner, Optimizer, Orchestrator, Relator, and Visionary. Understanding these dimensions can help you tailor your approach to building relationships.
If you know how your colleagues are motivated, you can more easily communicate in ways that build relationships and connections. Strong relationships can increase collaboration, boost innovation, and provide a work culture that bolsters individual and organizational success.
As well, when you know your own motivations, you can more appropriately establish boundaries and advocate for yourself as needed.
Boss-to-subordinate relationships
As a leader, it’s crucial to recognize and appreciate the unique motivations of your team members.
Communicate clearly
Regardless of Motivational Dimension, all employees appreciate clear expectations and feedback. As a leader, it’s important to establish those communication lines and ensure that you communicate in a way that inspires your people to work from their intrinsic motivation.
Tailor your approach
- For Achievers, provide opportunities for them to excel and be recognized.
- For Drivers, set challenging goals and give them autonomy to achieve them.
- For Learners, offer opportunities for growth and development.
Show empathy
Take time to understand your team members’ perspectives and challenges. Ask questions that allow your people the opportunity to share honestly.
Recognize contributions
Acknowledge good work in ways that resonate with each individual’s Motivational Dimension.
Employee-to-leader relationships
When relating to superiors, consider these strategies.
Understand your leader’s Motivation
Knowing your leadership’s Motivational Dimensions can help you communicate and work in ways that align with their preferences. Highlight your contributions in a way that resonates with their goals, motivations, and vision.
Be proactive
Regardless of your leader’s Motivational Dimensions, showing initiative is generally appreciated. Align your actions with outcomes critical to your leaders’ goals and initiatives, and ensure you communicate in a way that aligns with their Motivations.
Seek feedback
Elicit feedback from your leaders to highlight your commitment to growth. You’ll also learn more about your leaders’ expectations so you can more adequately meet them.
Communicate effectively
Adapt your communication style to match your leader’s preferences. For example, an Optimizer leader might appreciate detailed, process-oriented updates.
Colleague relationships
Building strong peer relationships is essential for a collaborative work environment. When teams communicate well and proactively support each other, a synergy develops that assures success.
Practice active listening
This is crucial for all relationships, especially for understanding colleagues with different Motivational Dimensions. Ask questions of colleagues in ways that bring out what excites them and connect with them where they’re motivated.
Find common ground
Even if you have different Motivations, there are always areas where you can connect. If you’re a Visionary, great relationships with Optimizers can help you create your desired outcomes faster. If you’re an Achiever, connect with Relators who can help you better understand and rally others to your goals.
Respect differences
Recognize that diversity in Motivations can lead to more innovative solutions. The more unique perspectives you can bring to a problem, the more likely you’ll find a unique and creative solution.
Offer support
Be willing to help colleagues, especially in areas where your Motivations complement each other. We all have blind spots and areas where we need support. Be willing to support each other through challenges. As well, be open to receiving support from those who might excel where you don’t.
Managing conflict through empathy
Conflict is inevitable in any workplace, but it can be managed effectively, especially when operating from your Motivational Dimensions.
Seek to understand
Before reacting, try to understand the other person’s perspective and motivation. Ask questions that express what you heard to get greater clarity. Sometimes, communication isn’t as straightforward as we hope. Seek to understand the intent behind the message rather than making assumptions. Always assume good intent, and ask questions if you’re not finding it.
Use “I” statements
Express your feelings and needs without placing blame. “When you said this, it made me feel…” can help you better explain how external factors led to your feelings without triggering further conflict.
Find win-win solutions
Look for resolutions that satisfy everyone’s core Motivations. Have conversations that uncover each other’s core values and objectives, and lean into Motivational Dimensions to ensure everyone gets their win.
Practice active empathy
Put yourself in the other person’s shoes, considering their Motivational Dimension. Everyone is motivated somehow. When you understand how your colleagues are motivated, you can find greater connection and clarity, improving team relationships across the board.
Deepening relationships
To foster deeper connections at work, you must be aware that relationships are critical. Place greater value on connecting with your team, and the outcomes will often take care of themselves.
Show genuine interest
Ask about your colleagues’ lives outside of work while respecting boundaries. Seek to understand how your colleagues’ Motivational Dimensions play out for them. You might gain greater understanding that will make communication and connection easier.
Share experiences
Participate in team-building activities or informal gatherings. Ensure everyone is included, and encourage a shared experience that can create memories and peak experiences.
Be reliable
Consistently follow through on commitments. If someone is relying on you to complete a portion of a project before they can continue, stick to your agreements. Communicate clearly if you cannot.
Offer and ask for help
Asking for help, or offering assistance to others, builds trust and strengthens bonds.
Recognize and celebrate
Acknowledge milestones and achievements, both personal and professional.
Leveraging Motivational Dimensions for stronger relationships
Understanding how different Motivations interact can enhance workplace relationships. For example:
- Achievers and Drivers can form powerful partnerships, pushing each other to reach new heights.
- Relators can help Visionaries connect their big ideas to team dynamics and collaboration.
- Optimizers and Orchestrators can work together to create efficient, well-organized systems and processes.
- Learners can benefit from Influencers‘ ability to share knowledge effectively.
Remember, the key to leveraging these differences is to appreciate each Motivational Dimension’s unique value to the team.
Relationships take work
Developing and nurturing workplace relationships requires effort, empathy, and understanding. By recognizing and appreciating different Motivational Dimensions, you can create a more harmonious and productive work environment. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with peers, or managing relationships with superiors, mutual respect is universal.
By applying these strategies and considering individual Motivations, you can build stronger, more meaningful relationships at work, leading to greater job satisfaction and success for everyone involved.
