b'ENGAGE 2023 | VALUED VOICEHow Can Companies Improve This?Leadwithhumility,curiosity,andempathytopromotepsychologicalsafety.Behumblebyacknowledgingany mistakes youve made, ask for help, and openly accept feedback from others. Show curiosity by asking open-ended questions to gain insight from others. And last, but not least, be empathetic by taking the time to walk in someone elses shoes. Genuinely appreciate someones willingness to be vulnerable and be vulnerable with them in return. Enhance communication by practicing impactful listening. Feelings of value and understanding arent always found withinyourwords.Manytimes,peoplesimplywanttofeelheard.Turnoffalldistractionsandbepresentinyour conversations. Recognize someones non-verbal cues, ask questions to mirror understanding, and dont shy away from silence. Silence is a powerful tool that provides the opportunity for you to absorb information, while also allowing the other person time to think about their response. Break down the silos to boost collaboration between departments. Establish clear communication channels, utilizing regular meetings, e-mail groups, and instant messaging. Also, look for opportunities to bring departments together to work on a no-stress project or initiative. Clarify the roles and responsibilities of each department, ensuring there is no overlap or confusion.To help individual employees support more positive interactions, provide training and development opportunitiesthatimprovecommunication,negotiationskills,andconflictresolution.Finally,recognizeandreward employees who demonstrate the collaborative behaviors you want to see. This will reinforce a culture of collaboration and encourage others to follow suit. A relationship is something you do, not just something you let happen. Relationships are constantly evolving and can never be checked off your to-do list. Part of growing relationships is treating people how they want to be treated, not how you think they want to be treated. Use a relationship-building tool like the Growth Guide to provide insight into each persons unique workstyle, communication preferences, and needs from you as their manager. 36'