Relationship
Tips for creating healthy working relationships
A healthy working relationship with employees creates a positive work environment and helps grow an organisation. Not much is talked about the boss-employee relationship. Like any other relationship, it also has many wavelengths and needs a proper flow to sustain and grow.
Good relationships are more about mutual admiration and understanding. However, it is a process that needs genuine effort, time, and empathy.
1. Bond of trust
The most important part of a boss-employee relationship is trust. Always be honest with your employees and never twist your words. Always tell the truth.
Be more transparent while you approach your employees. And never gossip about your employees or share any of their personal information with others. Trust is the building block and makes your relationship with employees sustainable. So trust-building will give you great results.
Bridge the relationship with trust to sustain it.
2. Merge the gap with communication
Communication is one of the most important key aspects of the boss-employee relationship.
Open and honest communication gives you an understanding of the employees’ sentiments, needs, and a good company culture.
A workplace should not only limit to email communication. Weekly meetings and hearing out the employees help you achieve more employee loyalty. Good communication fills the gap between awkwardness and other human complexities.
3. Appreciate your employees
A simple gesture or a “Thank you” note can lift your mood and keep you motivated.
Give your employees the appreciation they need. They work for you and dedicate a lot of time and effort to your company’s growth. Pat their backs, make them feel special, and let them know how much you value their work. Do it honestly and not just for the sake of it.
Though it would take very little time to appreciate their excellent work, for them, this can bring a whole new motivation and engagement in their work.
4. Respect your employees
Respect your employees and their opinions. Never make your employees feel neglected. Please don’t be harsh on their face when you disagree with them. Respect their inputs and try to explain your point of view with a little more empathy.
5. Implement autonomy
Give your employees freedom in your workplace. Nobody would appreciate you if you don’t give your employees enough room and space to complete their tasks. Autonomy in the workplace increases job satisfaction and your relationship with employees.
6. Show value, be empathetic
Value your employees. When you do it honestly, your relationship would automatically transcend to another level. If any of your employees face problems and have a hard time dealing with them, give them your helping hand. Supporting them in their crises could create wonders for your relationship.
7. One to one interactions
Go a little extra mile to talk to your employees and have a one-to-one interaction with them when needed. This would create a sense of support for your employees.
Ask your employees if they are happy with the work assigned to them. If they find enough support from their team members? Are they keen on learning other processes? Or any suggestions they have on the current way of work.
Questions like these would give your employees a sense of morale boost and help build positive relationships.
8. Have a learning attitude
Don’t take the proverb “The boss is always right” literally. Keep a learning attitude, which would help the employees feel more comfortable while giving their point of view to you. This also allows the employees to realise that they are the same and gives a sense of oneness.
At the end of the day, the Boss-employee relationship is all about trust and believing in their work. Hence, it is a collaboration where genuine involvement from both parties is compulsory.
Building and maintaining healthy relationships is an important part of looking after our mental health. Here are six top tips to support you:
1. Get to know yourself
Take time to appreciate yourself and connect with your emotions. Being aware of your feelings allows you to express yourself clearly and effectively. Poor emotional regulation can negatively affect your mental wellbeing.
2. Put in the work
Healthy relationships are built, not found. They require commitment and a willingness to accommodate each other’s needs.
3. Set and respect boundaries
Boundaries communicate what you appreciate and what you don’t like in a relationship. For example, respecting your need for alone time helps prevent unrealistic expectations and reduces pressure on the relationship.
4. Talk and listen
Disagreements are normal. Focus on listening to understand, not just to respond. Be open about your emotions and vulnerabilities with people you trust.
5. Let go of control
You can only control your actions, not those of others. Accepting this reduces stress and saves time while fostering healthier interactions.
6. Reflect and learn
Healthy expression of feelings helps you respond appropriately to others. Often, anger stems from hurt; recognizing this allows for better communication and relationship building. Reflect on the relationships that work well in your life, identify their positive qualities, and apply these lessons elsewhere.
As parents on a mission, raise children who are not just successful, but cultured, morally upright, and ready to lead. The secret? Blend biblical principles and traditional values with practical parenting strategies that work in today’s world.
Ghana’s culture is built on respect, community, and integrity, and when combined with Christian values like love and forgiveness, it is a powerful combo for parenting. Teaching children about traditions, biblical truths, or the importance of greeting elders is not just about preserving culture—it is about building character.
5 Practical steps to raise disciplined, cultured kids
1. Set clear expectations
Explain rules and values clearly. For example, “We respect elders because God says ‘Honour your father and mother’” (Ephesians 6:2). Also, “We respect elders because they have lived longer and know more.” Align household rules with cultural values like obedience and responsibility.
2. Lead by example
Children mimic what they see. Show respect to elders, speak kindly, and demonstrate honesty in daily life. Proverb: “If you show a child how to behave, they’ll behave.” Moreover, Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way they should go …” You can also introduce them to traditional games like “Oware” or “Ampe,” which teach strategic thinking.
3. Teach emotional intelligence
Help children label emotions (“You’re feeling angry”). Encourage resolving conflicts peacefully—like using “sorry” to mend relationships. Ghanaian proverb: “A smooth sea doesn’t make a skilled sailor.”
4. Assign responsibilities
Give age-appropriate chores (e.g., fetching water, helping with cooking). It builds accountability and pride in contributing. Link chores to cultural values like communal living (“We all help in the community”) and biblical stewardship.
5. Embed culture and faith in daily life
Cook traditional foods like Banku, Jollof rice, or Fufu, tell folktales, or celebrate local festivals with prayer and gratitude. Discuss values like ubuntu (I am because we are) to teach teamwork and empathy; alongside God’s love for unity (John 13:34-35). Make culture fun and relatable.
Some other awesome ways to make Ghanaian culture relatable for children include:
- Sharing popular Ghanaian artists like Joe Mettle, Uncle Ato, or Obaapa Christie, and teaching traditional dances like Kpanlogo or Adowa.
- Exploring Ghanaian crafts like kente weaving or bead-making through online workshops.
- Talking about festivals like Homowo (celebrated by the Ga people) or Aboakyer (a deer-hunting festival) using cool videos and pictures online.
Why this matters for Ghana’s future leaders
- Respect and integrity: Cultured children grow into leaders who respect others and uphold ethical standards.
- Community mindset: Values like cooperation and serving others (Galatians 5:13) prepare them to contribute positively to society.
- Resilience: Cultural roots give children a strong identity, helping them navigate life’s challenges.
Parenting in the digital age
- Balance screen time with cultural activities. Use Anansi stories or Bible stories on YouTube or play Oware to teach strategy and patience.
- Discuss social media etiquette through the lens of respect, responsibility, and biblical wisdom (Proverbs 15:4).
Final thought for Ghanaian parents
February 2026 is a fresh start. Blend Ghana’s timeless values with modern tools to raise leaders who are grounded, respectful, and ready to thrive.
To be continued …
Source: REV. COUNSELOR PRINCE OFFEI and Counselor Blessing Offei’s insights on relationships, marriage, and parenting in Ghana. He is an author, mental health professional, lecturer, and marriage counsellor at COUNSELOR PRINCE & ASSOCIATES CONSULT (CPAC COUNSELLOR TRAINING INSTITUTE). He is the author of several books, including “Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage” and “A Counsellor’s Guide to Using ‘Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage’ Effectively.”
Join our WhatsApp Channel now!
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
