• treating others with respect and dignity
• managing one's emotions
• effective communication.

 ·             abiding by work ethics and maintaining confidentiality

 ·             treating your colleagues as you would like them to treat you

Checking Your Thought Patterns

Relaxation Techniques

 ·         counting slowly to ten

 ·         playing relaxing or soothing music

 ·         excusing yourself from the situation to take a breather. However, assure the other party that you will come back to handle the situation when you have calmed down.

• the words used
• the tone of voice
• non-verbal cues

                       a.                    body language

                       b.                    emotions expressed 

                       c.                    relationships between the communicating parties The following are a few helpful tips to ensure effective communication:

• Practise active listening.

                        o                    Restate in your own words what you have heard to ensure that you have understood the other party correctly.

                        o                    Do not interrupt when the other party is talking.

                      o                    Ask relevant questions to demonstrate that you are paying attention and are interested in what the other party is saying.

• Give Feedback

                        o                    Giving positive feedback may encourage your colleagues to do better next time.

                        o                    When giving negative feedback:

                                              §                        focus on the action and the reaction it caused

                                              §                        exclude judgmental comments that might hurt the other party, e.g. "You are so slow!"                         o                    speak in a calm and gentle tone.  

• Use "I" Statements

                         o                    Using "I" statements in your communication prevents the other party from feeling threatened or acting defensively.

                         o                    State assertively your opinions instead of criticising or blaming.

                         o                    For example, "I feel upset when our project is delayed. Let us try to keep to deadlines to prevent such delays in the future."

• Pay Attention to Body Language

                        o                    Maintain eye contact with the other party while talking, to show your interest and respect for the other party.

                        o                    Avoid distracting actions when communicating, e.g. playing with pens.
In conclusion, managing healthy relationships at the workplace not only increases understanding, but also leads to a happier and less stressful working environment.