Some of us celebrate Valentine’s Day as a way to show appreciation to someone we love, others see it as commercial exploitation and avoid it, but what if we consciously choose this day to celebrate all relationships?

Whatever your stand point, we can all agree that personal and professional relationships are important, so make this Valentine’s Day a day to celebrate all types of relationships and watch the positive impact this has both at work and at home. 

Here is a myth we want to bust.

Often, when we think of “relationship”, we imply that it’s with someone with whom we are intimate, or romantically involved with. But the term “relationship” refers to all kinds of relationships: friends, co-workers, families, acquaintances etc. Every relationship has a purpose and fulfils a need. Each is unique and can be spectacular.

5 Ways to Celebrate Your Relationships This Valentine’s Day

• Gottman’s Positivity Ratio (5:1 ratio of positive to negative interactions) – give some well placed praise
• Share a song that you love with your team
• Reminisce – bring your family, friends and colleagues back to memories that make you smile, past achievements and the initial commonalities that brought you together
• Be considerate and thoughtful – a small gesture to let the people around you know how you appreciate them, even if it’s just making them a coffee, can go a long way!
• Smile, smile and smile! Smiling is infectious, bring warmth into your office and home!

What Do We Mean by Relationships at Work?

Relationships at work can be complicated and are especially interesting (biased as we are).

Workplace relationships form in order to achieve specific, common goals. Sometimes these teams are temporary to achieve short-term goals, and sometimes the team has an ongoing function. Unlike many other types of relationships, there does not need to be a strong personal bond in order for the relationship to function productively.

We sometimes spend over 8 hours a day with our colleagues. Happy work-places make happy employees. Relationship is key to how we feel about the work-place.

Want to know how to co-create great relationships to make yours and your teams work lives fantastic? Join us for upcoming courses.