1. Brittany Butler
Business Communications II
November 14, 2014
Relationships
It is extremely important to develop successful and strong relationships in the workplace.
Communication competence is “your ability to develop and sustain relationships at work”
(Downing, et. al., 2014, p. 275). This is important in building a successful career because
relationships at work will help reputation and focus on the tasks at hand.
Developing a successful relationship in the workplace comes with five strategies. The
first strategy is initiating the relationship. The effectiveness from this strategy is “providing the
social framework for what can become meaningful friendship over time” (Downing, et. al., 2014,
p. 279). The second strategy is communicating respect. This is effective to show coworkers their
“importance to you and to the task” (Downing, et. al., 2014, p. 279). The third strategy is to
develop trust. Trust is effective because “when people trust someone, it means they believe they
are honest and reliable” (Downing, et. al., 2014, p. 280). The next strategy is being careful what
is revealed. This is effective because what is said could help or hinder a reputation in the
workplace. The final strategy is confirming or praising others. This is effective because when
people get praised, they “feel validated and have a greater sense of well-being and self-worth”
(Downing, et. al., 2014, p. 281).
Having strong relationships in the workplace is very important to have a successful
career. Relationship development includes these five strategies of initiating the relationship,
communicating respect, developing trust, being careful on what is being revealed, and

2. confirming or praising others. Using these five strategies in the workplace will make a successful
work environment.
Initiating the
Relationship
Communicating
Respect
Developing
Trust
Being Careful
what is
Revealed
Confirming or
Praising Others