Dr. Conna Yang explores this topic in her publication in the Asian Journal of Business Ethics. Essentially, the ability leaders have to establish healthy relationships within their companies, has an effect on the relationships employees have with each other and the company in general.

Dr. Yang builds off of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory in this paper to establish the importance of leadership in reduction of conflict and organizational relationships. LMX theory specifically details the influence healthy supervisor-employee relationships have resulting in efficiency of job task completion. What is also key in LMX theory is understanding how it is the support  that a supervisor provides for their employees.

The reason Dr. Yang brings up LMX theory as an importance for leaders to be aware of is the finding that interpersonal relationships within a workplace can be a direct cause of organizational outcomes, including employee turnover and job satisfaction. Ultimately, people will be happier in environments where they are comfortable, which includes healthy relationships with supervisors, and lower amounts of conflict.

Within Dr. Yang’s study, it was found that employees who report experiencing higher LMX relationships within their place of work are more likely to extend this positive relationship towards their colleagues. Essentially, the cultivation of healthy relationships between management and employees, aids in the tone employees will treat those at the same level as themselves.

The implications of this study are certainly important for coaches to be aware of. In coaching your clients to create healthy relationships, they are not setting the tone for one relationship alone, they can be subtly impacting the relationships of everyone on their team. This is especially salient if the client happens to be in a management position themselves.

To read the full article, follow the link here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338866024_How_to_avoid_coworker_relationship_conflict_a_study_of_leader-member_exchange_value_congruence_and_workplace_behavior

IOC's Tips of the Week are authored by Austin Matzelle