LEADERSHIP
Modern Corporate
Relationship Theories
By Dr. Kellen Kiambati
When newly recruited employees
join organizations they prefer
to be perceived as likeable and
friendly but also committed and serious.
Therefore it is important to pay attention
to theories that can help people achieve
the objective of being likeable. To do so
one has to pay attention to theories that
support relationship development and
maintenance. There are a few theories
available to apply.
Attraction theory: In this theory it
is urged that workplace relationships
arise as a result of attraction and that is
why we are drawn to some people and
not to others based on issues like body
structure, similarity in beliefs, financial
resources, ambitions, communication
skills and ethical considerations. These
considerations are important to well-being
and happiness. Similarity is also key in
attraction theory because people who act,
look and think in the same way are likely
to be attracted to each other. However,
there are times when people are attracted
to opposites from a complimentary
perspective for example dominant and
submissive people. Additionally, Proximity
or physical closeness and people who live
near each other or work close to each other
have the highest opportunity to interact
hence becoming a factor in attraction.
When it comes to reinforcement, people
are attracted to those that affirm them
and belief that the people are worth our
efforts.
Relationship Rules Theory:
Interpersonal relationships are largely
dictated by rules that govern them and
believing that adherence to those rules
is what keeps the relationship glued
together. The rules help to separate toxic
and non-toxic relationships and they
include stepping in for friends, celebrating
success, emotional support and offering
assistance. The rules also help people
to cultivate skills for development and
maintenance considering context, beliefs,
norms and practices of a particular space.
Specifically workplace rules form part of
corporate culture that can easily be learnt
through observation and they include;
hard work, team work, confidentiality,
politeness among others.
Relationship Dialectics Theory:
Relationship dialectics theory deals with
tensions that exist between two choices
like going on holiday or spending holiday
money on investments. On a day to day
basis we experience these tensions where
we have to make choices that pull us to
opposite directions. In this theory there
is the conflict between closeness and
openness and wanting to experience
exclusiveness yet also to relate with the
larger group.
Social Penetration Theory: Social
penetration theory is anchored on an
explanation of why relationships develop
and how they grow. The nature of
relationship is based on topics that people
discuss on a day to day basis. The people
who identify with a topic of discussion
will be drawn to each other and in the
process strengthen penetration into inner
personality.
Social Exchange Theory: Social
exchange theory operates like business
where people create relationships that
have optimal benefits. The theory begins
with the following equation: Profits =
Rewards – Costs. Reward is viewed as
anything that people are willing to pay
for in order to obtain and they include
status, goods and information. On the
other hand costs are things that people try
to avoid in a relationship like unwillingly
working overtime and over the holiday.
Profit therefore is subtracting costs from
the rewards.
Equity Theory: Equity theory has a
close relationship with social exchange
theory however it includes proportions
arguing that people should receive
workplace relationship rewards equal
to the effort they put in. Equity theory
claims that people will develop, maintain,
and be satisfied with relationships that
are equitable therefore the greater the
inequity, the greater the dissatisfaction
and the greater the likelihood that the
relationship will end.
Politeness Theory: In this theory,
workplace relationships are developed
through mutual respect acknowledging
strengths and weaknesses and using
indicators like praise, compliments,
and positivisms in general to grow the
relationship. There should be consideration
of positive aspects that raise self-esteem
and autonomy to control own behavior.
This way people feel valued and respected
and relationship needs are met.
In conclusion, workplace relationship are
largely based on effective communication
and there is need to master the strategies
that one can use to develop and maintain
workplace relationships. They are: Be
Friendly: One has to be friendly and
cheerful and be prepared to compromise
even if it means self-sacrifice; Continuous
Engagement: This is important to keep
the workplace relationship going and
generally keeping in touch; Openness:
Direct conversation and listening to
others so as to offer meaningful advice
and guidance; Assurances: The importance
of the workplace relationship should be
continuously affirmed and explained; and
Being Positive: People want to engage and
be around those oozing positive energy
and optimism.
Kellen Kiambati holds an MBA in
Strategic Management from the Kenya
Methodist University and a PhD
in Business Administration with a
focus in Strategic Management from
JKUAT. She is a member of the Institute
of Human Resource Management
of Kenya. She can be reached via:
[email protected].
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MAL37/20 ISSUE