“We don't need to be best friends in order to have a sound working relationship. But you do need to know each other as people. … It doesn't take a great deal of effort to learn those kinds of things about people and the benefits can be pretty big.” - Peter Axelson“You really need a basic amount of trust in and respect for each other. While you definitely want to see other positive attributes in a relationship, these two, trust and respect, they are the absolute must haves. So everything else, all the little things that make relationships run well, they all can be sorted out.” - Winnie da SilvaIn this podcast episode, Winnie and Peter discuss the importance of sound interpersonal relationships within a team, which is a fundamental building block in Peter's Team Development Methodology. Episode Highlights:Definition of Sound RelationshipsIn the context of a team, sound relationships are characterized by a basic level of trust and respect. While not needing to be best friends, team members should know each other beyond their professional roles and engage with each other on a personal level.Impact of Relationship QualityEven one problematic relationship within a team can significantly hinder the team's effectiveness. Dysfunctional relationships lead to distractions and unproductive behaviors, affecting the entire team's performance.Common Reasons for Neglecting RelationshipsPeople often discount the importance of building strong relationships within teams due to a belief that relationships will naturally develop over time. There's a misconception that work relationships will reach a "good enough" state without explicit investment. This passive approach often fails.End GoalThe ultimate goal of focusing on sound relationships isn't merely to create great relationships, but to foster effective collaboration. Interpersonal relationships are a crucial requirement for successful teamwork and collaboration.Not All Relationships Can Be RepairedIn some cases, relationships can be too badly-damaged to be repaired. The two important factors in determining this are the degree to which trust and respect for each other have been eroded, and the degree to which the two people are willing to do the very hard work of putting the relationship back together.How Relationships and Collaboration Are IntertwinedEffective collaboration relies on sound relationships. Damaged or underdeveloped relationships can undermine collaboration, while poor collaboration often contributes to strained relationships. Enablers of Cross-Boundary CollaborationTo improve relationships and collaboration, a tool with six "enablers of cross-boundary collaboration" is introduced. These enablers include:Knowing the person beyond the basicsUnderstanding the person's context or worldReviewing roles and points of interdependenceMaking explicit what you need and expect from othersMaking agreements for working togetherEstablishing a process for ongoing, timely, and honest feedbackUsing the ToolTeams are encouraged to use this tool to identify and address areas where their relationships and collaboration can be improved. It can be particularly useful in teams for dealing with friction in relationships and/or ineffective collaboration.Importance of Prioritizing RelationshipsThe podcast emphasizes that deliberately investing time and effort in building relationships and improving collaboration are fundamental parts of the job. Team leaders must prioritize this, setting the example for their team members.Overall, the podcast highlights the critical role of sound interpersonal relationships within teams and provides practical tools and strategies to enhance these relationships and, in turn, improve collaboration.ResourcesWinnie da Silva on LinkedIn Get the whole season and the companion guide at Winniedasilva.comE10: The Stories We Tell Ourselves with Peter Axelson

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