Humans are social beings, and it is within our social contacts that we can either gain or lose confidence. Those social supports that we consider positive can be a source of a social, emotional and cognitive outlet. It is from having positive social relationships that our wellbeing can be improved.
When we consider our social relationships as adults it is usually our friends, families, and colleagues. We can choose our friends, it can at times be questionable whether we can choose parts of our families, it is work, however, where we appear to have less control with those that we are in contact. This is where culture in workplaces can be important. If a workplace can create a positive supportive culture there is less likely to be high turn over of staff and a decrease in sick leave. When a workplace does not realise the negative impact of poor relationships and culture or are unwilling to take a closer look and make changes, this is where individuals need to either make choices whether they stay and/or whether they have adequate social supports around them to allow a buffer for the negativity experienced at work, or whether they leave.
There is evidence to support that individuals that have adequate social supports at work and outside of work are happier and manage difficult situations and adversity far better than those that do not. It would be worth those at the top, managers, and leaders learning how they impact and create workplace cultures and allow adequate time for employees to have a life away from work to ensure they can contribute to important relationships that provide the support and buffer their employees need.
Individuals have a lot of control in terms of how they decide others can or can not make them feel, treat them, and by having healthy personal boundaries along with the above mentioned allows an individual to draw from the strengths of those positive social support networks.
Is it time you reviewed your social support networks? Design ones that ensure you can live in quickly changing times with relative ease and support?
Have a great day.
