Leadership Reflections: Building Relationships in the Workplace Essay

Based on assigned readings in Module 5 ( conscientious objector State University, 2012), this journal entry reviews the authors strategies as a change management consultant for building and improving relationships in client organizations. The handling 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 structure and Improving RelationshipsThe effectiveness of a political navigator depends on strong interpersonal relationships built through competent communication and respectful action (Cialdini, 2001 Gilley, 2006 Lewicki, Barry, & Saunders, 2006). As Cummings and Worley (2009) observe, Establishing a healthy 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 reinf orcing strategies for initiating and creating synergistic client relationships. Strategies for Initiating Client Engagement The first set comprises four initiating strategies for influencing positive client interlocking displaying an engaging personality, identifying with clients, developing mutual interests, and practicing reciprocity. Displaying an engaging friendly personality a prerequisite for building relationships (Cialdini, 2001 Gilley, 2006) creates initial positive perceptions and helps establish personal rapport. Identifying with clients on their take (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 manager as politician. Westport, CT Pr aeger 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.). youthful 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 learning organization (revised ed.). New York Random House.Vecchio, R. (Ed.). (2007). Leadership Understanding the dynamics of power and influence in organizations (2nd ed.). Notre Dame, IN University of Notre Dame Press.