Relationship building and maintenance in business and professional contexts

Business Communication and the Workplace

Different types of relationships

Relationships can be personal or impersonal, they can take on a life of their own, and they can change when we least expect it. Successful or valuable relationships require proper coaching and maintenance. As much as we establish relationships with people such as family, neighbors, and friends and so on, we have noted that the experience of love is same the only thing that changes is our preferences. Therefore, the kind of love that is received from different relationships is what classifies them into the different categories. Therefore, there are different kinds of relationships such as family relationships. These involve people that one is related to in a way. They include people one lives with in their household, the immediate family as well as distant relatives.

Friendly relationships are the relations that we share with friends, peers, colleagues and other acquaintances. Next to one's family, friendly people play a major role in directing one's life towards the right or wrong track. The type of bond between ones associates and friends is what drafts them into what they are. Professional relationships are another type of relationships. People often develop successful, productive and satisfying relationships as their places of work. Clients, colleagues, seniors, customers and subordinates are people with whom these types of relationships are likely to trigger off. Whether it is increasing ones chances of being promoted, clearing and interview, or even expanding ones spiritual awareness on a personal level, professional relationships are of great importance. This is because if one does not meet the right people or build relations that are successful then one will not be able to accomplish their goals and dreams (Sharma, 2010).

What are the stages of relationship building and their characteristics?

Every relationship goes through five stages. The first stage of a relationship is the acquaintance, which knows each other. So as to start a relationship people have to know each other. People might meet at a place and the hit it off immediately. Social gatherings, common friends, same organizations are avenues where people can meet, break the ice, are acquainted to each other and then start off a relationship. The second stage is the buildup stage. This is the stage where a relationship grows. People are now no longer strangers and they start to trust each other. This stage is characterized by people coming close and developing feelings for one another.

The third stage is the continuation stage. This is where a relationship blossoms. Trust and transparency are important for the relationship to continue. The fourth stage is the deterioration but not all relationships go to this stage. Individuals might find it difficult to adjust with each other and eventually lead to the relationship ending. The fifth stage is the termination stage, which is the last stage. There are relationships that start positively but end abruptly (Management study guide, 2013).

Self-disclosure and feedback enhance a relationship

Self-disclosure involves sharing of personal ideas and feelings, which the other person does not know. This helps to enhance a relationship since the other person will get to know what they do not know about you and hence lead to a stronger relationship. Feedback involves giving a response to someone this enhances a relationship in that one gets to know what the other person thinks of them and hence make changes if they are required for a better relationship. Self-disclosure and feedback can also affect a relationship negatively. This can happen if the disclosure or feedback is not was one would have expected.