Defining Workplace and Coworker Connections

Name: Defining Workplace and Coworker Connections
Author: Tremika Cleary

Understand the importance of workplace relationships and coworker connections.

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Course: On-Demand

(bright music) In this course on defining workplace and coworker connections, you'll learn how to build connections with others by understanding the basic needs of interpersonal relationships. You'll also learn how to be a team player and the benefits of networking. When we live a life connected to other people, we lessen our feelings of isolation and detachment. After periods of separation, many people grow to appreciate the importance of connecting with others as a necessary part of our social and emotional wellbeing. American psychologist, Abraham Maslow's, Hierarchy of Needs, defines interpersonal relationships as a social and psychological need and places them above more basic needs such as food, shelter and safety. In this model, building connections with others can be viewed as essential to our self-development. There are many ways to define a connection. When building relationships with others, we can think of a connection as one person sharing a social connection with another, possibly through marriage, friendship or common interests. When you connect with others in the workplace your shared interests are often the reason why. But just starting out, the only thing you know, you have in common is that you all work together. But how do you build off that? Although working at the same job can be a starting point for connecting, if you just stop there, it may feel to others like a superficial or surface-level connection. Superficial associations can come off as shallow indicating a lack of genuine interest on your part. By refusing to go past a certain point in your interactions with others, you may cause them to take up a similar attitude, turning what should have been a genuine connection into unnecessary distance. Have you ever worked with someone but never knew their name? Some companies may have a large number of employees making it hard to keep track of everyone, but even so if you saw this person regularly, probably worked in the same department with them and still did not know their name, your connection would be considered superficial and shallow. This doesn't mean you have to make it your mission to memorize the names of everyone you work with. It's not inherently wrong to not remember a colleague's name, but hopefully you are still polite and acknowledge them when you're in their presence. Be intentional about getting to know them beyond casual interactions. This is key to establishing social connections that last. The theory of relational intelligence describes the ability to develop and sustain trusting relationships with others through genuine connections. Building sustainable connections with coworkers requires you to be genuine, honest, and intentional. How can you put this into practice? Be yourself. When you portray the real you, it appeals to others who share similar views and interests, making it easier to identify and connect with one another. Avoid the artificial, but engage in organic interactions. Realistically, you will not connect with everyone on your job, so avoid forcing or faking it. Allow your connections with others to develop organically and let them naturally grow and strengthen over time. Put in the work. As with any interpersonal relationship, you must cultivate your connections if you want them to grow. If you genuinely desire to connect with your coworkers, be intentional and put forth the effort needed to establish and sustain those bonds, sometimes even extending them beyond the workplace.

Essential Provider : Tremika Cleary 4 Lessons · 12m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese

Course Description

Over the years, the time we spend in the workplace has increased. Whether you work onsite or remotely, the moments we invest at our jobs allow us to not only complete work-related duties, but to develop a connection or relationship with those around us. Establishing strong connections with coworkers may promote a healthy work environment, increase employee productivity, and decrease employee turnover.

In this course, Defining Workplace and Coworker Connections, you will learn the benefits of creating healthy relationships with coworkers. You will understand what it means to build connections and why those connections are essential. You will discover common types of workplace relationships and how they can impact engagement on the job. You will also learn the skills necessary to establish coworker connections and to network with colleagues. This course will also help you gain the skills needed to successfully nurture and maintain these relationships, which will benefit your professional career.

What You'll Learn

Understand what it means to build workplace and coworker connections
Explain why building coworker connections is essential
Identify different types of workplace relationships and their impact on engagement
Apply connection skills to network with colleagues
Discover the benefits of creating healthy relationships with coworkers
Learn how to nurture and maintain coworker relationships throughout your career

Key Takeaways

Establishing strong connections with coworkers may promote a healthy work environment, increase employee productivity, and decrease employee turnover.
Whether working onsite or remotely, time at work allows people to complete duties and develop relationships with those around them.
Common types of workplace relationships can impact engagement on the job.
Building and maintaining coworker connections requires specific skills that benefit your professional career.
Networking with colleagues is part of applying coworker connection skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will I learn in this course?

You will learn the benefits of creating healthy relationships with coworkers, what it means to build connections and why they are essential, common types of workplace relationships and how they impact engagement, and the skills needed to establish coworker connections and network with colleagues.

Why are coworker connections important?

Establishing strong connections with coworkers may promote a healthy work environment, increase employee productivity, and decrease employee turnover.

Does this course apply to remote workers?

Yes. The course notes that whether you work onsite or remotely, the time invested at work allows you to complete duties and develop connections with those around you.

What topics are covered in the lessons?

The lessons cover what it means to build connections, why it is important to build coworker connections, and coworker connections and networking, followed by a Test Your Knowledge section.

How can building coworker connections benefit my career?

The course helps you gain the skills needed to successfully nurture and maintain workplace relationships, which will benefit your professional career.

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