Having meaningful relationships in the workplace can truly make or break your employment experience. Motivational speaker and best-selling personal development author, Brian Tracy, said, “Eighty percent of life's satisfaction comes from meaningful relationships.” When we hear this quote our mind might go to those relations with our families and friends, but we need to think about those relationships in the workplace too. We spend a large portion of our lives in our places of work, so it makes sense to develop and cultivate these relationships.
Fostering meaningful relationships in the workplace is a phenomenal way to practice and live out our Catholic virtues, charity being one of them. Charity can be defined not only as the act of giving, but also to love and serve God and our fellow people. We may think about charity in the context of giving our time, talents, and treasures to those in need. This could mean serving in a specific church ministry, volunteering at a non-profit, or simply giving a donation to a good cause or campaign.
While this is true, the opportunities we have in the workplace may look different. After all, who might we encounter if we’re working from home while wearing sweats, or how can we be of service when we’re in our cubicle, head down, rushing to meet a deadline? Here are some ways that we can practice charity at work through meaningful relationships:
Have A Positive Attitude
The workplace can be stressful, and unpleasant situations can arise, but having a simple positive attitude can make the difference. Did a business deal fall through, or was there a client who disregarded your hard work on a project? Moments like these are inevitable, and they are bound to happen. How we react and how we maintain our attitude are important. Think about what you can do to create a better outcome. Acknowledge the reality with grace, give positive comments, offer an invitation to discuss further, and take it as a learning opportunity for the future. Positivity can be contagious, and this can create stronger and more trusting relationships.
Show Up and Care for Others
Ever been invited to a company outing, but decided to skip it? Perhaps think again, and show up for the others. Someone took the time to plan it and was really looking forward to getting to know their coworkers, aka you! Being charitable means offering your time and energy for the benefit of others. Putting effort into your relationships at work can be beneficial to making it a pleasant time and creating stronger bonds in the workplace. Try to genuinely get to know your coworkers and care about them. You never know what they are going through or what is affecting them. Showing up for them and being present can be a rewarding experience.
Use Your Talents
In the workplace, assessing situations and creating a plan to reach your goals is crucial. Giving the best of ourselves is something that, as Catholics, we are called to do. We’re called to be magnanimous and share the talents and skills that God gave us. This applies to all parts of our lives, including our workplace. Maybe you have a skill of public speaking and can offer to lead the department meeting next time. Or maybe you’re very creative and can design a small poster for a co-worker’s personal fundraiser. Giving our talents and skills is a way to not only be charitable, but also to create meaningful relationships. Being a team player and knowing that people can count on you is something to be proud of.
Being charitable doesn’t stop and end at a certain point. We are called to practice this virtue everywhere we go, including our work environment. Seek to love and serve those you work with. It can make a difference. Ask yourself: how can I cultivate more meaningful relationships at work and serve others selflessly?
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