This week you're learning some of the characteristics that will help you practice your relationship building skill (trust, mutual respect, mindfulness, diversity and inclusion, and open communication). Discuss how you are applying at least one of these characteristics in your life right now at work, school, or other professional environment. What exactly are you doing and how are you doing it? How does that action contribute to relationship building and why is relationship building valuable in a professional environment?

Remember to answer each part of the discussion prompt in a thoughtful, logical, and well organized manner. A substantial discussion forum response should make connections to course content, professional experiences, and personal experiences.

Also, please respond to at least 1 learner in the class offering thoughtful ideas, asking follow-up questions, and demonstrating respect for others.

Suggested Discussion Organization:

• In paragraph 1, discuss how you are applying at least one of the characteristics in your life right now at work, school, or other professional environment. What exactly are you doing and how are you doing it?
• In paragraph 2, explain how that action contributes to relationship building? Then, explain why relationship building is valuable in a professional environment (in the workplace).

SAMPLE DISCUSSION REPLY

The main characteristic I use to help me work on relationship building in a professional environment is trust. Students have to trust that I am providing relevant curriculum and that my feedback is accurate. Students have to trust that student success is important to me, and that I will help them however I can. One way I build trust is through communication, such as emails, videos, and live sessions. Another way I build trust is by being responsive when students reach out. If a student emails me and I never respond, they will not trust that I will help them. So, one way I can use trust in relationship-building with my students is by being responsive and attentive.

The above actions contribute to relationship building because they help to establish the foundation of a relationship. Relationship building is valuable in my workplace because when teaching in an online environment, it can be challenging to build relationships with students. Despite that fact, I continue looking for ways to bridge and build relationships. This is important to me because I want my students to come to me if they have questions or get stuck on an assignment. If I have not established some type of relationship, students will feel reluctant to reach out.