The Secrets of Working Relationships with Patricia Hind

Welcome to another episode of The Connected Leadership Podcast with Andy Lopata, featuring an impelling discussion with Patricia Hind, a leadership and management development professor at Hult International Business School and author of Winning Together: The Secrets of Working Relationships. Patricia is a Trustee of the British Psychological Society and Chair of the Education and Training Board, Justice of the Peace and a Freeman of the City of London. Andy and Patricia’s conversation delved into the intricacies of working relationships, focusing on office dynamics and the art of developing mutually beneficial connections within the workplace. Patricia shares deep insights on how workplace relationships impact our overall work experience, emphasising their role in our successes and failures. She points out that everyone has a niche, a unique value to add to the organisation; no specific 'type' fits better within an office environment. What matters most is the nature of our working relationships and how these relationships shape both our professional lives and personal emotions. Patricia also points out that while networking can provide external boosts to career progress, nurturing effective working relationships with your own team has greater implications on your work experience and effectiveness. She champions transparency and openness in resolving conflicts, using feedback methods such as the Boff model that highlights behaviour rather than personality. The discussion also explores the changing nature of leadership. Patricia points out that leaders today are not those spectating from the top, but those who create a conducive culture in which differences can be safely managed and conflicts competently resolved. They touched upon how modern leaders are expected to appreciate their diverse team members, exhibiting and rewarding behaviours that reflect the culture they aspire to promote.  Patricia highlights the undeniable fact that relationships have profound implications in the workplace. From conflicts to collaboration, understanding the dynamics of these relationships can significantly enhance productivity and overall satisfaction within the work environment. Andy and Patricia examine the challenges of connecting different generations, characterized by contrasting values and ways of working. Although initial reactions to these differences might be adverse, the growing push for diversity and equality encourages embracing diverse perspectives for a more innovative and creative workspace. Discussing remote working and its impact on building relationships, Patricia Hind feels that although being technologically connected has risen, social connectivity has reduced. While she agrees to a certain extent that digital platforms help mitigate feelings of isolation, face-to-face interaction remains a crucial part of building meaningful relationships. Concluding their discussion, Andy and Patricia explore how to manage a relationship with colleagues where there is no rapport. Here, Patricia suggests focusing on the specific tasks that need completion and ensuring credibility and reliability are displayed. Consequently, maintaining consistent communication is key, even in the absence of a deeper bond.  This conversation sheds light on various facets of relationship management within the workspace – from multigenerational collaboration to leveraging differences, affirming the necessity of adapting to change and purposefully building connections. Connect with Andy Lopata Website Connect with Patricia Hind LinkedIn