Why Unnecessary Familiarity Can Ruin Professional Relationships
In any workplace, relationships play a vital role in achieving success and building a coherent team. However, there is a fine line between being friendly and being overly familiar with our colleagues. Over-familiarity can ruin professional relationships and lead to negative work outcomes. In this article, we’ll discuss why unnecessary familiarity can be detrimental to professional relationships and explore some ways to build successful working relationships while maintaining a professional demeanor.
What is Unnecessary Familiarity?
Unnecessary familiarity refers to crossing the boundaries of professional conduct to gain camaraderie with colleagues. It can manifest in various forms such as oversharing personal life details, gossiping about co-workers, or using inappropriate language at work. Over-familiarity, while seemingly harmless at first, can quickly erode trust and respect if not kept in check.
Ruins Professional Relationships
Over-familiarity can result in ruining professional relationships for a few reasons. Firstly, being overly familiar can lead to a lack of respect towards colleagues. It can seem like casual conversation or insulting someone for fun when in reality it borders on harassment. Secondly, oversharing personal details can leave colleagues feeling uncomfortable or exposed, leading to a cautious approach towards the person behaving in such a manner. Finally, gossiping about co-workers can lead to a lack of trust and respect within the team, ultimately damaging group dynamics.
Impact on Business Outcomes
Unnecessary familiarity can also have an impact on business outcomes. For instance, a team that does not trust one another is unlikely to be productive. A lack of trust can lead to conflicts, delays, and ultimately, missed deadlines, resulting in unsuccessful projects. Additionally, over-familiarity can result in a lack of recognition for individual and team achievements. This can lead to resentment and unwillingness to work together, underperforming in business goals.
Ways to Build Successful Professional Relationships
Building successful professional relationships requires a fine balance of being friendly while maintaining professionalism. Below are some ways to establish and maintain successful working relationships:
1. Set Boundaries
It is essential to set boundaries and understand the line between being friendly and being overly familiar. Ensure you maintain workplace professionalism by keeping your conversations in check and avoiding oversharing personal details.
2. Choose Your Words Wisely
Be mindful of the words you choose when conversing with colleagues. Use language that is appropriate for a professional setting and avoid using colloquialism and slang that could be construed as inappropriate.
3. Celebrate Successes as a Team
Celebrate team successes by providing recognition where deserved. By acknowledging individual success, everyone will feel valued as an essential part of the team. This motivates team members to produce better results.
4. Develop a Personal Brand
Developing a personal brand gives you an opportunity to showcase your strengths and skill sets while keeping it professional. Your colleagues will have a clear understanding of what you bring to the table, building trust and respect.
Conclusion
In conclusion, maintaining professional boundaries in the workplace is essential to building lasting professional relationships and achieving successful business outcomes. Over-familiarity can be detrimental to any team, resulting in ruined relationships and negative outcomes. By setting boundaries, choosing your words wisely, celebrating successes as a team, and developing a personal brand, you can build successful professional relationships while maintaining a professional demeanor.
