Introduction

1

Bringing out the best in others is good business.

When we bring both respect and interpersonal savvy to our work relationships, we do more than make people feel good. We enhance personal and organizational performance. Customers are more likely to return to companies that treat them well. Staff show more loyalty to supportive employers. Cohesive teams are more productive. Individuals with strong people skills are more likely to succeed—and far less likely to be fired.

As the workplace grows more complex and competitive, managing our work relationships becomes even more essential and difficult. Today’s challenges in organizational life include:

Doing more with less—enhancing productivity and collaboration among teams with depleted ...

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