What Is Relational Leadership?

What Is Relational Leadership?

There are different leadership styles, and each leader has a unique way of leading their team. However, knowing which leadership style is most effective for your team can significantly improve employee morale and development. One leadership style that a leader may explore is relational leadership. 

All About Relational Leadership

Relational leadership is leading by emphasizing building relationships in the workplace and using those relationships to work toward a common goal. The leader can develop positive relationships within an organization. It also relates to the process of people working together to achieve a greater good or accomplish a positive change in the workplace. 

Empathy is an essential skill that relational leaders use to empower their teams to build strength in their current skills and develop new skills. A relational leader aims to bring the people he leads into that level of professional growth through positive social development to achieve a common goal. 

The Benefits of Relational Leadership

Like any leadership style, relational leadership has unique benefits in your workplace. 

1. Strengthens team morale. Empowering your employees helps them feel valued and needed to accomplish a project and company goals. As you entrust responsibilities and empower them to do projects where they can use their strengths, team members become loyal leaders to whom you can effectively delegate tasks. 
2. Develops teamwork. A relational leader understands that employees cooperate in attaining a successful workplace goal. As a leader, feedback and communication is something you should establish as a culture in the company. In addition, you will understand if employees are in roles suitable for their skills and talents.
3. Increase change. Relational leadership establishes a foundation for your employees to work toward a common goal, accelerating change in your organization. By achieving smaller common goals through teamwork, your employees will see themselves as part of a team who works together to achieve a larger common goal.

How to Implement Relational Leadership?

• Get To Know Your Employees.

Since relational leadership emphasizes the importance of relationships in achieving a common goal, a leader must go the extra mile to get to know everyone that is part of his team. A leader must establish a time frame to meet each of his employees and understand their personal and career goals. Ask them about how they feel about themselves as well as how they feel about their current workplace. Again, empathy plays an essential role in implementing relational leadership; that is why you must show your employees that you care for them, not just in their work but in who they are. Through this, you can establish a personal relationship with your employees. This will help you connect with them and encourage them to complete their work efficiently and effectively.

• Think of Yourself as a Person With Influence.

As a relational leader, you have to build your confidence. This will help you influence your peers and coworkers. As you build your influence, you can also gain your coworkers’ trust and efficiently guide them through steps to success.

• Find Meaning in Your Relationships

You have to understand the value of the relationship that you are building. You do not just build with them because you are a leader, but you build with them because you want to help them develop their skills. The goal is to help them become successful individuals while working towards a common goal.

• Be Authentic and Truthful

Trust is fundamental in relational leadership. You must be authentic and truthful in working with your employees. Share company goals and values with your team to make them feel like they are part of it. Be open with your motives to reach the company goals and allow your team to share their insights. Allow your team to trust you have the company’s best interests in mind.

• Show Appreciation for Your Team

In relational leadership, you must acknowledge how your employees have contributed to the team. This will help boost your employees’ morale, eventually leading to higher productivity, profits, and common goal achievements. Therefore, be generous with your affirmations and initiate something to express your appreciation, such as awards, raise, bonus, or an extra day of paid time off.