Maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships

Relationship existing or occuring between persons;
a connection, association, or involvement.

in the workplace creates an environment where employees can build relationships with equal respect for each other, build confidence, and increase productivity.

Key points for healthy interpersonal relationships include:

Respect individual diversity

The state or fact of being diverse; difference; unlikeness;
variety; multiformity. A point of difference. ( )

. People are going to have different personalities, learning styles, values, opinions, and ways of communicating, so you need to find ways to work with people that are different from you. In other words, it is okay to agree to disagree, but do not let it affect the work environment.

Respond to praise or criticism. Keep a positive attitude

Attitude is defined as a mental disposition with regard
to a fact or state (a helpful attitude) or a feeling
or emotion toward a fact or state.

, listen to and think about the praise/criticism, and learn from the experience. Listen to the other person's viewpointan attitude of mind, or the circumstances of an individual
that leads to such an attitude.
. Do not be overly sensitive when taking criticism. Click here for advice on when it is okay to be offended and when it is not.

Offer helpful praise or criticism. It can be difficult to approach a co-worker who is consistently making mistakes. If done right, offering helpful criticism may earn you more respect. Click here for advice on how to approach co-workers.

Control emotional reactions. Everyone can be emotional from time to time. Try to be aware of the emotions of others around you. Be aware of your own emotions as well. The ability to perceive emotions is considered Emotional Intelligence (EI). Click here to learn more about EI and how to exercise it. Often, emotional reactions are a result of stress. Click here to learn how to better manage your stress.

Resolve conflictA state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical
persons, ideas, or interests; a clash. by:

• Identifying the problem – State the needs of the people involved in the conflict. Communicate the problem without placing blame on either party.
• Listen actively – Give the other person a chance to tell their viewpoint without interrupting or making them feel threatened. Communication skills are essential for resolving conflict as well as preventing conflict. Click here to learn how to improve your communication skills at work.
• Discuss possible solutions

  Answer(s) or suggestions to try and solve a question
  or problem. A solution can be either simple or complex
  and may require few resources or many resources.
  

  
  
   

  – Talk about possible solutions and know when it is right to agree to disagree. Click here for more tools about preparing to have difficult discussions through role playing.
• Act upon the agreed solution – Put the past behind you. Have a positive attitude, and focus having a good working relationship.
• Display a positive attitude.

Identify and react to sexual intimidation/harassment

Workplace harassment consisting of unwelcome and repeated
sexual advances, comments, looks, physical contact,
stereotyping, or request for sexual favors. Or any
such act not clearly sexual in nature when (1) submission
to such act is made a term or condition of employment,
(2) submission to rejection of such conduct is used
as a basis for employment related decision affecting
the individual, or (3) such conduct has the purpose
of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance,
or of creating a hostile, intimidating or offensive
work environment.

 

 

appropriately. Learn more about sexual harassment; visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website .

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