Leadership Reflections: Building Relationships in the Workplace Essay

Based on assigned readings in Module 5 (Colorado State University, 2012), this journal entry reviews the origins strategies as a change management consultant for building and improving relationships in client organizations. The discussion then considers the effectiveness of these strategies relative to the authors workplace environment including the authors approach for mitigating relationship issues in the event the strategies prove ineffective.Strategies for Building and Improving RelationshipsThe effectiveness of a policy-making navigator depends on strong interpersonal relationships built through efficient communication and respectful action (Cialdini, 2001 Gilley, 2006 Lewicki, Barry, & Saunders, 2006). As Cummings and Worley (2009) observe, Establishing a firm relationship at the onset makes it more likely that the clients desired outcomes will be achieved . . . (p. 81). Therefore, as a consultant, the author predominantly relies on two sets of sequentially reinforcing str ategies for initiating and creating synergistic client relationships. Strategies for Initiating Client interlock The first set comprises four initiating strategies for influencing positive client engagement displaying an gentle personality, identifying with clients, developing mutual interests, and practicing reciprocity. Displaying an engaging friendly personality a requirement for building relationships (Cialdini, 2001 Gilley, 2006) creates initial positive perceptions and helps establish personal rapport. Identifying with clients on their level (Gilley, 2006) by altering personal communication style, language, dress, and behaviors to match with their cultural norms, reinforces perceptions of the authors willingness to ackn... ...anizations (pp. 2-4). Greenwood Village, CO AuthorCummings, T., & Worley, C. (2009). organizational development & change (9th ed.). Mason, OH South-Western Cengage Learning. Gilley, J. (2006). The coach-and-four as politician. Westport, CT Praeger Publishers.Kouzes J., & Posner, B. (2007). The leadership challenge (4th ed.). San Francisco Jossey-Bass.Lewicki, J. R., Barry, B., & Saunders, M. D. (2006). Negotiation Readings, Exercises and Cases (5th ed.). New York McGraw Hill.Schein, E. (2004). Organizational culture and leadership (3rd ed.). San Francisco Jossey-Bass.Senge, P. (2006). The fifth discipline The art & practice of the knowledge organization (revised ed.). New York Random House.Vecchio, R. (Ed.). (2007). Leadership Understanding the dynamics of world-beater and influence in organizations (2nd ed.). Notre Dame, IN University of Notre Dame Press.