6 Key relationships which can cause you stress

One of the greatest sources of work stress is the failure to manage key relationships. How you manage yourself is critical to your performance and stress levels but how you manage your key relationships is just as important. No matter how important you may think you are or, how much authority you may have; you cannot have a successful career without the help of others. Working successfully with others is the quickest path to success. Other people guide you, purchase your product or service, help you, and pick you up when you are down and so much more. However, if you do not manage your key relationships successfully, they can be a major source of stress. The following list is just a small sample of how your relationships can be a source of stress:

• Unrealistic expectations
• Excessive demands
• Public displays of criticism
• Misunderstandings
• Bullying and harassment
• Gossiping and badmouthing
• Personality clashes
• Breakdowns in communication
• Poor communication skills

6 Key relationships which can cause you stress

The following key relationships must be managed in order to avoid conflict and stress, while boosting performance:

1. Relationships with management

Many managers have been promoted to a management position because of their ability to perform the functional aspects of the job but they lack the necessary people management skills. They tend to be task focused and view their staff as a resource rather than a collaborator.  They place excessive demands on staff, manage by fear, and are highly critical. They have no interest in the emotional side of people management and their style tends to create stress and anxiety. If you have to deal with this type of manager, it will take a great deal of skill to manage the relationship.

 2. Relationships with staff

While the staff may be expected to carry out the work, it is the manager who will bear the ultimate responsibility when the company/department fails to meet its objectives. The manager must learn to delegate to, and motivate his staff but he must also be firm enough for the staff to know that they must meet their targets. This requires the manager to build relationships based on trust. Delegation is the ultimate sign of trust however the manager must be confident that his trust is well placed.

 3. Relationships with colleagues

To perform highly in the work place, you must enjoy the company of your colleagues. Relationships based on trust and mutual respect allow colleagues to support each other to the benefit of all. Competition for promotion and office politics often produce a culture which is not conducive to happy, respectful relationships between colleagues. If you find yourself in this position, managing these key relationships effectively will help you to avoid the conflict and stress.

 4. Relationships with customers

Since the advent of the internet, customers now have more knowledge than ever before. They now have more knowledge of their rights, their options, alternative suppliers and alternative products and services. This has resulted in a higher level of demands and expectations amongst customers. In the past, companies may have taken customers for granted but now the pendulum has swung the other way. Customers now demand high standards of quality and service. If you fail to meet their demands or manage their expectations, they will not hesitate to take their custom elsewhere.

 5. Relationships with suppliers

Relationships with suppliers are critical. The quality of service you receive from your suppliers directly impacts the quality of service you can offer to your customers. If you wish to offer the highest quality of service, you need to manage this relationship effectively.

 6. Relationships with family and friends

When thinking of relationships which can cause stress and effect work performance, people often forget about family and friends. Many people think that they can separate their work and private lives completely. When both are working well, this is not a problem, however, when you have a major issue in your private life, it soon impacts on your work life too. The problem is constantly on your mind and it begins to eat away at you. You can lose the ability to focus which impacts on all areas of your life. Work is not somewhere to hide from the issues of your private life. Your relationships with family and friends are key relationships in your whole life, not just when you leave work in the evening.

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No company ever achieved great success without its people. People are the greatest asset that any company can have. When key relationships are managed successfully, great things can be achieved. It can put a spring in your step and going to work becomes a pleasant and enjoyable experience. However, when key relationships are not managed successfully, there is no greater source of stress. More time is spent managing the broken relationships than performing your job. You are constantly filled with anxiety and worry as you try to find a way to make the relationship work. Managing yourself will take you a long way towards your goals and aspirations but if you want to complete the journey you will need to take a proactive approach to managing your key relationships. When you do, your potential is endless.