Leadership in Teams: Building Positive Relationships

When leading a team, it is important to have trust. Building positive relationships is a key component in productive teams. A cohesive team with resident care at the forefront is essential. There are several ways in which a leader can successfully build positive relationship 

The Positives of Positive Relationships

• Trust: Trust is the foundation of positive relationships. Teams depend on each other to provide a positive experience to residents.  Care team members should look to the person in the leadership role with complete trust. 
• Support: There is room to offer support when there is a positive relationship between care teams. In teams, everyone can assist with lifting each other to create a positive workspace. Having a positive relationship with someone in a leadership role can create the space to have open and honest conversations. 
• Team cohesion: Teams working together create the best environment for residents. Leaders help guide but should also be willing to learn and improve, as all team members do. When all members are focused on the same goal, the team combines skills and works as a whole unit. 
• Productivity: Completing work and taking care of residents can be made easier when all care team members know there is someone to rely on. Productivity can increase with teams that support one another. When relationships are positive, it is easier to accomplish a task. 
• Resident care: When residents can see a team that is supportive of one another, it can create a more positive environment. They can feel at ease when they see the care their team members instill in each other. More importantly, the team supports residents when they can support each other.

How to build positive relationships: 

• Active listening: People want to be heard by the people they look to for leadership. Although people may think they are listening to others, learning how to actively listen makes a difference. Active listening involves a person paying attention to what someone says rather than simply listening to their words. Nonverbal cues, responsiveness, and being fully present in the conversation are just a few ways a person can improve their active listening skills. 
• Genuineness: It is important to be polite to team members. However, being genuinely interested in a care team is significantly more effective when it comes to building positive relationships. Honesty and kindness can go a long way in leadership. 
• Collaboration: As leaders, team members will look to you for guidance. It is important to lead but there is always time for collaboration. When all team members give their input and ideas, the team can increase productivity and care. 
• Conflict resolution: With leadership, there are times when difficult conversations must occur. Having conflict resolution skills can help ease the uncomfortableness that comes with these conversations. These skills can also help difficult situations that may arise between team members and each other. Shutting down the issue without discussion tends to not be productive. Leaders can guide conversations to a productive resolution. 
• Encouragement: Praise and encouragement are just as crucial as constructive criticism and feedback. Although it is important to help a team be more successful, it is also important to give credit when positivity occurs. Having a leader who praises as much as they correct shows that they are looking at all aspects of a person and not just waiting to criticize team members. 

Reference

1. Sutherland, B. L., Pecanac, K., LaBorde, T. M., Bartels, C. M., & Brennan, M. B. (2022). Good working relationships: how healthcare system proximity influences trust between healthcare workers. Journal of Interprofessional Care, 36(3), 331–339. https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2021.1920897

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