Work relationship health checks could prevent painful break-ups

SENIOR managers are being urged to complete a five-minute management health check to improve their relationships with staff and help their businesses survive the recession.

Harrogate-based business coach Sonia Saxton is warning that increases in unpaid overtime and pressure are causing dangerous levels of negativity and threatening working relationships.

She said that more than five million people a year are now working an average of £5,000 in unpaid overtime a year and that many worker felt they had to go “the extra mile” to protect themselves from redundancy during the credit crunch.

To help maintain a happy workforce/management balance the advisor, who has worked with firms such as Pfizer, HBOS and LG Philips, has produced a quiz-style questionnaire to help bosses discover whether their professional relationships are strong enough to survive the downturn.

She said: “When you have managed in an office for a long time you no longer notice the detail of what is all around you.

“For example, what motivates the team? Why do they no longer have the spark they had? You stop noticing what makes the business work for each of them. Too many people want the others in the team to think and see things the way they do.”

She continued: “These things become important when you no longer pay attention to them. Does the person you are working with work well with detail or the big picture first? Do they like to discuss things or go with the flow?”

Ms Saxton said knowing an employee’s hobby is or what their husband or wife is called meant a lot when the pressure is on.

“If staff think their boss is putting on them and taking advantage of them, particularly in the present economic climate, then that is a negative emotion and it adds to their stress levels, which in turn reduces their effectiveness,” she added.

“But if people believe that the reason they are being asked is because they are a valued member of staff and that they are key to the success of the business, then that is a positive thought.”

BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP-SAVING QUIZ

Is your team recession-proof? Answer the following questions about your colleagues (scores for each correct answer are in brackets)

1) Do they like you to explain things in detail or just provide the big picture? (15)

2) Do they like to approach new projects by talking about how to overcome any obstacles, or do they like to start by simply talking about what it will deliver for the business? (10)

3) Do they prefer specific tasks, or just going for it? (10)

4) Do they like to start with people or task issues first? (10)

5) Do they prefer to be proactive or just handle things as they happen? (15)

6) Do they prefer you to give them options, to think outside the box or a proven laid down procedure? (10)

7) Do they like to talk about the organisation needs or what they would like to happen? (10)

8) Do they prefer the business to develop through revolution or evolution? (10)

9) Their life partners name? (20)
10) What is their hobby outside work? (5)

If you score more than 100 plus you respect your staff and know what makes others tick to create trust in the team.