Maximising Working Relationships by

Reflection time

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:29:11 UTC

Use these prompts to reflect on what you have learned in this section. You don't have to share your reflections in the comments section, as this is a personal exercise.

What did I learn?
What did the learning experience tell me about myself?
How does this learning experience impact me, and how I'll approach situations in the future?

Becoming a "Trusted Advisor"

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:39:54 UTC

This summary of The Trusted Advisor

by David H. Maister, Charles H. Green and Robert M. Galford, explores how to build trust-based relationships at work. https://oxfam.box.com/s/ncqpzb265gdgpi7h98wbwogkaqyzs63i (30-minute read)

Mending relationships

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:46:07 UTC

An interesting article with helpful steps to explore how to mend a work relationship.

https://hbr.org/2020/02/how-to-mend-a-work-relationship (7-minute read)

Circles of Control

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:46:43 UTC

This article explores the Circles of Influence, Concern, and Control, including examples and activities: https://positivepsychology.com/circles-of-influence/ (10-minute read)
This video explores Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, and his explanation of how the circles can help you to become more proactive: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_EK17Zph04 (5-minute watch)

Working with empathy

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:47:43 UTC

An introductory video to empathy, and how it is different to sympathy, from the author and researcher Brené Brown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw (5-minute video)

Active listening

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:48:22 UTC

A great and thorough article on practicing active listening and empathy, including:

Examples
How to overcome barriers
https://positivepsychology.com/active-listening-techniques/ (15-minute read)

Respond, don't react

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:48:52 UTC

Even if a situation feels out of your control, your response is always in your control. Think about how to manage emotions and work by responding deliberately, rather than reacting immediately.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcnp5vHzQME (3-minute video)

Coaching colleagues

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-20 14:49:30 UTC

The GROW model coaching framework is a useful way to support colleagues through their challenges. This article has great example questions for each stage of the framework. https://www.coachingcultureatwork.com/the-grow-model/ (7-minute read)

Join the Maximising Our Relationships Course from the Retail L&D Team

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-28 15:58:54 UTC

This 4-hour course aims to:

Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of your relationships at work
Explore how to be a trusted partner
Recognise barriers and solutions to refresh your relationships going forward

Face-to-face and online sessions are available. Contact learn@oxfam.org.uk to find out more or book onto a session.

Identify and evaluate the effectiveness of your relationships at work and explore how to be a better trusted colleague

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-28 16:23:12 UTC

How to use this Padlet:

The topic has been divided into 3 different levels. It can be worked through in order, or you can chose the learning which feels most relevant for you.

Clicking on the links will take you to a new tab where you can see the resource. You can then return to the Padlet, or come back another day to continue your learning.

Use the like button if you have found a topic interesting or thought-provoking.

You can also use the comment section to:

Share your thoughts

Pose questions
Add additional resources you may have found in your learning

This section will help you to start thinking about the key skills needed for successful relationships.

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-28 16:23:28 UTC

This section will help you to evaluate your current Relationships, and identify where there are opportunities to improve them.

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-28 16:24:06 UTC

This section will build on your skills and evaluation, to help you identify actions you can take to improve your relationships.

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 08:43:34 UTC

Key skills for building relationships

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 10:04:52 UTC

This article runs through the key skills and behaviours which you can develop to help improve your working relationships.

https://uk.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/relationship-building-in-the-workplace (6-minute read)

Reflection time

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 10:12:45 UTC

Use these prompts to reflect on what you have learned in this section. You don't have to share your reflections in the comments section, as this is a personal exercise.

What did I learn?
What did the learning experience tell me about myself?
How does this learning experience impact me, and how I'll approach situations in the future?

Reflection time

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 10:12:56 UTC

Use these prompts to reflect on what you have learned in this section. You don't have to share your reflections in the comments section, as this is a personal exercise.

What did I learn?
What did the learning experience tell me about myself?
How does this learning experience impact me, and how I'll approach situations in the future?

Join the Across Organisational Mentoring Programme (AOMP)

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 11:13:54 UTC

The Across Organisational Mentoring Programme has been established to connect individuals across participating humanitarian and development organisations, drawing on experience across the sector to support professional development through mentoring.

You can join as a mentor or mentee, to apply your learning and build new relationships across the sector.

For more information on eligibility and how to apply: https://compass.oxfam.org/communities/learning/wiki/coaching-and-mentoring/mentoring

Join the discussion:

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 12:31:14 UTC

What do you think are the most important skills to develop to build good working relationships?

Add your thoughts in the comments section.

Join the discussion:

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 12:31:26 UTC

Many parts of a relationship will be out of your control, but are there any things which are always in your control?

Add you thoughts in the comments section.

Join the discussion:

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 12:35:20 UTC

"Being a trusted advisor or having a trusted relationship goes beyond a two-way relationship". In what ways do you think this statement is true?

Add you thoughts in the comments section.

Feedback

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 12:43:03 UTC

If you've enjoyed this selection of resources, or would like to share some feedback, please complete this quick survey (less than 2 minutes) :https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VWYsxKC9dUGQurbkjKzVYRXVIC8d9wdKsKTO5YpW9dBUODVCQkhTUEI0STdYUFFLMUVKSFhJWjJLTC4u

*Please note, you don't have to have completed all sections to provide feedback!

You can also contact the team for more information on this topic, to suggest future topics or to chat through any feedback. Email learn@oxfam.org.uk.

Developing high trust work relationships

sgiddings1_1 — 2023-12-29 14:09:19 UTC

This free 2-hour Open University course introduces the concept of trust, what it means to you and how it may affect your organisation.

To enrol, or find out more: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/money-business/leadership-management/developing-high-trust-work-relationships/content-section-0?active-tab=description-tab