This chapter presents the following content: Nature of co-worker relationships, strategies for developing work relationships, factors influencing relationship development, positive and negative consequences, relationship issues in the workplace. | Peer and Co-worker Communication Chapter 11 “RELATIONAL CHALLENGES” Co-worker Communication Peer relationships can provide a source of intrinsic reward for the employee, can buffer job-related stress, and can reduce job dissatisfaction and turnover (Kram & Isabella, 1985) Questions Why is it in the organization’s best interest to foster co-worker relationships? Are people more involved, satisfied, and participative in dyads as compared to groups? How does physical space affect office relationships? What contributes most to worker relationship development? Overview Nature of co-worker relationships Strategies for developing work relationships Factors influencing relationship development Positive and negative consequences Relationship issues in the workplace (case study) Nature of Relationships in Organizations Two Forms of Interpersonal Relationships Organizational - based on organizational structure Personal - choice & voluntariness Friendship is an ongoing human association . | Peer and Co-worker Communication Chapter 11 “RELATIONAL CHALLENGES” Co-worker Communication Peer relationships can provide a source of intrinsic reward for the employee, can buffer job-related stress, and can reduce job dissatisfaction and turnover (Kram & Isabella, 1985) Questions Why is it in the organization’s best interest to foster co-worker relationships? Are people more involved, satisfied, and participative in dyads as compared to groups? How does physical space affect office relationships? What contributes most to worker relationship development? Overview Nature of co-worker relationships Strategies for developing work relationships Factors influencing relationship development Positive and negative consequences Relationship issues in the workplace (case study) Nature of Relationships in Organizations Two Forms of Interpersonal Relationships Organizational - based on organizational structure Personal - choice & voluntariness Friendship is an ongoing human association voluntarily developed and privately negotiated Relationships are exponentially complex Five Principles of Developing Work Relationships #1 - Proxemics Affect Relationship Development Distance between ourselves and others More opportunities to interact Physical space affects office relationships (HOW?) #2 - Relationship Communication Conveys Information and Imposes Behavior Two levels of messages: CONTENT and COMMAND Command defines the relationship between the two individuals Five Principles of Developing Work Relationships #3 - Relationships Can Be Symmetrical or Complementary Interpersonal Balance Symmetrical - both partners are equal in the relationship Complementary - based on maximization of differences (1 up/down) #4 - Each Partner Has Different Interpersonal Needs Schutz’s FIRO-B Inclusion, Affection, and Control #5 - Co-workers Can Have More Control of Each Other Than Can Supervisors Income of all is dependent on work of all Member-based control (concertive control, Chapter 5, p. 99) .
