Strategies for Building Relationships and Breaking Barriers in Employee Engagement

Dear All,

Mine is a very peculiar problem.

I have been working in the company for around 8 months. Most of the employees' age is double mine, and it is their first and perhaps last job here as they will retire from here only. Moreover, very few female employees are working here.

I had very open communication with my boss, and we shared only a professional relationship. He has recently left the company. It is also important to mention that although he was in HR, employees across all levels never relied on him. Because I reported to him, other employees feel that I am still on his side even though he is no longer with the company. This has created a barrier between me and the other employees, resulting in me keeping myself aloof and not being friendly or mixing with them.

I need your help to understand how to break this barrier and make the employees understand that I am only on the company's side (not my ex-boss's side) and that I want to be friendly and mix with the employees who have been working here for more than 20 years.

Please advise me.

When I started working in Productivity Services, which is also a service department like HR, I was advised to be friendly with all the staff. Hence, you can do that. Try to break the ice by going for coffee breaks with them and talk to them. As you are the one who's keeping aloof from them, it is up to you to break the barrier. Start with a few female employees if that makes it easier.

My wife was the only female technician in a male-dominated Civil Engineering Department at a college. However, she made friends with everyone and became familiar with all.

Dear kraviravi.kravi@gmail.com,

Even though my boss is relieved, he was also ostracized by other people. The same thing may happen with the next boss, and I might be in trouble again. So, please provide suggestions.

Dear nashbramhall,

As I have mentioned, only 3 girls are employed, and I have good terms with them. However, the problem lies with other employees who have been here for many years across levels. How can I break the ice regularly and be friendly with them? Please help!!!

Thank you.

Well, if you feel that this company is not suited for you, then keep on learning from this company and keep the top management in the loop. Obviously, when your boss resigned, the top management will come to know. Also, when the top management realizes that all HR managers are resigning one after the other, then they will surely smell something fishy. If you are afraid, then learn as much as you can, keep trying for another opportunity, and then switch jobs. Because tomorrow you should also receive a relieving letter and a proper experience certificate.

Dear kraviravi.kravi,

Thank you for your reply. Currently, I am not in a position to change jobs nor do I want to due to personal reasons. Therefore, switching jobs will not help. However, I am seeking tips on how to become more friendly with my colleagues.

Please share your ideas and suggestions.

Thank you.

Start observing and find a gap where you can help them, then begin communicating slowly with each person. Show them that you are more concerned about their well-being. I was doing the same, and I have reached a certain level of success.