We talk about a lot of things when it comes to organisational success–KPIs, growth strategies, ROI–you name it. Yet, we often skip over a vital piece that’s right in front of us: the quality of relationships among managers. The old saying “Plays well with others” isn’t just for your childhood report card; it’s a crucial metric for professional growth, too.
This is how I see it:
Connection Before Content
If Alfred Adler’s wisdom could be condensed into a bottle, it would be labelled, “All our challenges are basically interrelationship problems.” The lack of strong relationships is usually the breeding ground for conflict, low morale, and inefficiency. So, let’s be clear–our ability to “play well with others” in the managerial sandbox is not a soft skill; it’s a core skill.
The Emotional Quotient: Not Just a Number
As a manager of managers, it’s tempting to view Emotional Intelligence (EI) as the fluffy stuff, the icing on the cake of hardcore business skills. Wrong. EI is your capacity to relate, understand, and be understood. It’s the difference between a symphony and a cacophony in the workplace.
Bias and Beliefs: Navigating the Minefield
Let’s be honest, our worldviews shape our relationships, often subconsciously. But as managers, we can’t afford to let personal biases sabotage team dynamics. Addressing our biases and beliefs is uncomfortable yet essential work. If Peter Drucker had a mantra for this, it might be: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.”
Personal Accountability: Owning Our Reactions
Victor E. Frankel put it succinctly: “Between stimulus and response, there is space. In that space is our power to choose our response.” The ability to respond rather than react is a subtle art that comes with personal development. Before blaming the external environment, let’s take a moment to evaluate how our own perception influences our reactions.
The Interdependent Web: Our Global Reality
Our world is knitted tightly in a fabric of complexity. Success in such a scenario can’t be a lone wolf endeavour. Interdependence is not just a buzzword–it’s a lifeline. Peter Block might say, “The answer to how is yes.” This means that our collective potential to solve complex problems skyrockets when we focus on quality relationships.
The Final Word
Emphasising the quality of work relationships is not a “nice-to-have”; it’s a “must-have.” It’s time to dust off the old “Plays well with others” badge and pin it proudly on your lapel!
#Leadership #WorkplaceRelationships #EmotionalIntelligence #Interdependence