Developing, growing and 'improving' ourselves = healthy interactions
What is also important is what you think of other people, especially in your relationships at work. Thinking positively about others and building relationships and trust is important, it makes us feel connected and ourselves. Research shows there is also a clear link between putting you aside, building positive relationships with trust and business performance.
Paul J Zak has spent years researching this link and has found, (as reported in HBR): ’’Compared with people at low-trust organisations, people at high-trust organisations report: 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more satisfaction with their lives, 40% less burnout.’’
His research has also found that when we start to trust someone, oxytocin is released in the brain. So-called a ‘sociable’ chemical, it increases empathy, a vital trait for those working in healthcare when working with colleagues and patients. It has an impact on motivation, energy and positive culture.
Instead of asking ourselves ‘How can I improve?’
Maybe we should ask ourselves: ‘How can I see the best in others, show people I like them and build trust?’
What stops us?
Our habitual ways of experiencing and processing information can get in the way:
Malcolm Gladwell in his book ‘Blink’, talks about how we ‘thin slice’ and make judgements and decisions on small amounts of data and experience. We filter the world based on our point of view – does it fit with my beliefs and values or not? If the answer is not – we can dismiss it – making us judgemental of others stopping us from being truly open.
How can we be more open to others and build trust?
- Practise being open, remove your gates and guards, and let people in.
- Be less defensive about your ideas and opinions; ask others how to make them even better.
- Share information about yourself. A Google study found that managers who “express interest in and concern for team members’ success and personal well-being” outperform others in the quality and quantity of their work.
- Embrace difference. Remember that we are all unique and others are not like you so stop expecting them to be!
- Be curious, what can I learn from this situation or others' ideas?
- Get out of your comfort zone. Try new things, maybe one per week e.g. listen to a different style of music, read a different source of news, and broaden your experience.
- Manage your emotional response and take accountability for your mood – don’t give your power away.
How can we help?
At Maguire Training, not only do we offer classroom-based courses and programmes, but we are also proud to offer a versatile and intuitive suite of over 190 eLearning modules on our website, which covers a range of topics. Including our Interpersonal Skills Training Course, where delegates experienced and new will learn the professionalism of communication on a personal level.
Contact us
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in contact with us:
Phone: 0333 5777 144
Email: info@maguiretraining.co.uk
Or, simply fill in the ‘Contact Us’ form on any page of our website.
