The key to any organisation’s success is a healthy and productive relationship between employees and employers. Although a company may have its own priorities in place, like having hardworking employees who meet the company’s visions, a less superficial relationship among co-workers could lead to a healthier work environment, hence, more productivity in the long run.

Jean Marie Habimana, the director of operations and partnership at Ready for Reading, a local non-governmental organisation in Eastern Province, says building a better relationship with your boss requires mutual trust.

He says that having the same vision about a project creates a bond that forms a better relationship.

In some companies, he says, employers tend to be overly bossy and fail to treat employees well.

"This is mostly what affects the relationship between the two parties. And when this happens, it might affect the organisation in different ways, including its growth in general,” he says.

Fredrick Omondi, an engineer and owner of Arch Grid Consultant Ltd, a construction company, is of the view that  it is important to have this relationship because having motivated employees that understand and respect the company’s outlook means better quality work and a more positive and cooperative atmosphere in the workplace.

Also, he notes that another way to create this strong relationship is through conversation. This, he says, means having positive dialogue with one’s boss in order to foster a better relationship.

"Through communication, especially if done correctly, there is no doubt that it will ensure the better running of an organisation,” he says.

The engineer says if employees are allowed to express themselves and are listened to, it shows that employers care about their welfare, even outside the work environment.

Mathias Nkeeto, an educator, backs this up, noting that communication is crucial to ensure the two parties are on the same page most of the time.

He adds that being an efficient worker is something every employer wants, so ensuring this will create a better relationship. This, he says, is now more important than ever as due to Covid-19, some organisations and businesses now function with most of their employees working remotely to curb the spread.  

Feedback, Nkeeto says, is another way to create a good relationship. He explains that as an employee, asking for feedback from your boss shows that you care enough about what is going on and want to know how to improve.

"This demonstrates that you love what you do and are genuinely invested in the work,” he says. Besides, feedback will motivate one to make the right steps towards progress.

Talking about goals and aspirations, is something Omondi believes can help build a strong relationship between employer and employees.

"Ensuring that as an employee you are aware of your company’s goals and employers are aware of employees’ goals too will make a huge difference to the effectiveness of not only your relationship but also the advancement of one’s career,” he says.

Habimana believes that a good relationship between employee and employer is important because both parties need to complement each other for the greatness of the company.

"Having strong relationships means the whole organisation functions well. It also helps boost the reputation of the organisation,” he adds.

Ultimately, a healthy, respectful relationship with your manager can improve your morale and productivity, and ultimately, it can boost your career.