Let’s Talk About It: Turning Confrontation into Collaboration at Work

CHAPTER 12

BUILDING, RESTORING, AND MAINTAINING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Whether it is your car, teeth, or relationships, maintenance is vital. Unfortunately, most people are better at getting their oil changed and teeth cleaned than they are at actively keeping relationships healthy and well-functioning. In fact, we often do not pay attention to how our relationships are working until they no longer do. Maintaining a healthy relationship greatly reduces conflict and confrontation because disagreements are handled in a timely, direct, and collaborative manner. While most of us would undoubtedly agree with the maxim that relationships take work, we do not always know the best way to work on them. How healthy are your relationships? What have you ...