Thriving Together: 6 Ways to Nurture Workplace Relationships When You Disagree.

Workplace relationships and friendships—let’s face it—are crucial, yet rarely get the spotlight they deserve. In fact, they’re at the heart of the work we do at SkyeTeam and the focus of our award-winning book You, Me, We.

While Eric Spencer, Ruby Vesely, and I are the champions of workplace relationships, you may be surprised that the three of us who co-wrote the book on friendships at work don’t always see eye to eye. We’ve butted heads, disagreed, and even had those “why am I doing this?” moments (we’re only human!). But here’s the thing: we have a solid foundation of trust and allyship, so when those “storm-in-a-teacup” moments happen, they pass quickly—and we come out stronger for them, our relationship is stronger, our understanding is deeper.

Nurturing Your Workplace Relationships

1. Disagreements as Opportunities in Workplace Relationships It might sound odd, but disagreements aren’t the enemy—they’re growth opportunities. In fact, the best ideas often come from diverse viewpoints, even if it means clashing a little first. As we’ve learned in our research for You, Me, We, creating a space for differing opinions doesn’t just bring new perspectives; it challenges our assumptions and leads to creative solutions. The workplace relationships that allow for respectful disagreements are the ones that thrive.
2. Lead with Curiosity, Not Judgement: In moments of tension, it’s easy to think, “I’m right, and you’re wrong,” but that’s a shortcut to shut down communication. Instead, when conflict arises, lead with curiosity. Ask your colleague about their perspective and share your own openly. This practice of vulnerability—something we discuss in both of our books—leads to deeper understanding and strengthens trust in workplace relationships.
3. Invest in Your Workplace Relationships Early: Workplace relationships don’t blossom overnight—they need attention and care. When we invest time in getting to know our colleagues beyond the work at hand, we build a base of trust that makes navigating conflict easier. It’s about nurturing those connections long before a disagreement arises.
4. Steer Clear of Office Gossip: Gossip might seem harmless, but it can quickly erode trust and damage workplace relationships. If there’s something you’re frustrated about, go straight to the person involved and have a conversation. In Cultivate, we emphasize that honesty and directness create stronger bonds than whispered rumours ever will.
5. Focus on Solutions, Not Problems: When conflict occurs, it’s easy to get bogged down in complaints. However, the real magic happens when we shift from discussing problems to exploring possible solutions. This mindset shift turns frustrating moments into opportunities to grow together. A solution-oriented approach helps maintain professionalism, which, in turn, strengthens workplace relationships.
6. Find Common Ground (and Have Fun!): Building workplace relationships isn’t just about tough conversations. Shared experiences—whether it’s a team lunch, a workout challenge, or a shared interest (in our case, a unicorn obsession that even our clients and partners have adopted)—create camaraderie. At SkyeTeam, we know that these lighter moments build the bonds that help us get through the tough stuff. So find something you both enjoy and make time for it.

The truth is, no workplace is perfect. But navigating differences with kindness, curiosity, and a mindset of collaboration makes all the difference. Like Eric, Ruby, and I, when we lean into trust and approach each other as allies—disagreements become growth opportunities, and challenges become shared victories.