Workplace alliances
WHETHER you love to play boardroom games or don the amour for corporate crusades, it is unlikely that you will be able to accomplish the task without some help, direct or indirect. You need someone to support you and help you cover your vulnerabilities, someone who can provide you with assistance and friendship when you need it.
In the corporate world, workplace alliances are invaluable because they can translate into commercial advantages. Alliances, when formed with the best interests of both the organisation and the individuals in mind, help solve problems and provide timely advice. Your allies often offer a different perspective when you tend to lose sight of the bigger picture. Here are a few tips that will help you build interpersonal relationships and forge strong alliances that make goal accomplishment easy.
Effective communication is perhaps the keystone of any relationship. You need to open up channels of communication - both written and oral, with your potential ally. `My boss and I share a very informal relationship', comments Sudhakar, a production engineer. "We always share opinions and discuss strategy over a cup of coffee or the occasional lunch." An element of informality is congenial to nurture a strong work-alliance/ partnership, because it fosters feeling of friendship and trust.
Treat your allies as equals. Don't make the mistake of patronising an ally just because he is not as knowledgeable, or perhaps a rank or two lower. Remember that, no matter their position within your organisation, all people are equal; they just do different jobs. Never discuss an ally with others. Do not participate in gossip or do anything that might displace the trust of your ally.
During a staff meeting, a colleague of mine gave in to another co-worker even though he was not very satisfied with the decision that was being made. When questioned on why he let the other person's opinion prevail, the colleague replied that he needed the co-worker's support on other much more important issues.
Mutual learning, mutual influence and mutual benefits are the basis on which alliances are built; so don't fret about the smaller concessions and trade-offs that you might have to make in the interest of larger gains.
Provided your views are in agreement, always be the first one to stand up for your ally; don't wait until you see in which direction the rest of the group is headed. If you don't agree with his or her viewpoint, speak to your ally directly. Don't backstab or go to a third party for mediation. That single act could damage the entire fabric of trust upon which alliances are built.
Be honest. Don't make promises you can't keep. Keeping a commitment or a promise is a major deposit in your trust account; breaking one that is important to your ally is a major withdrawal. Get the expectations, hopes and aspirations of your ally clarified before you make an outright commitment.
Solid trust forms the base for strong alliances. You need to build on it with effort, commitment and spirit. It can only be done step by step, a little at a time; and sometimes, when you step back to take a final look, it may not be exactly what you wanted. However, you must be prepared to take that risk if you want to get ahead, both at work and elsewhere!
BINDU SRIDHAR
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