Strong workplace relationships linked to higher initiative among staff, study finds

Employees who feel liked, supported and able to speak up are measurably more likely to take proactive action at work, research across four Irish hospitals indicates

Workers with positive relationships in their teams engage in proactive behaviour more frequently, new research has found. 

A study suggests that staff who feel affirmed by colleagues show greater confidence in taking on tasks beyond their formal roles.

The analysis examined data from 246 nurses in 35 units across four hospitals in Ireland. Nurses self-reported on relational experiences and team coordination, while unit managers independently rated each nurse’s behaviour to reduce subjectivity.

Researchers found that positive relational experiences increased role-breadth self-efficacy, with an effect size of .37. The report states that being liked, receiving mutual commitment and working with colleagues who show vitality can support confidence to expand responsibilities.

Relational coordination — defined as timely, frequent, accurate and respectful communication — was also linked to psychological safety. This relationship carried a large effect size of .87, and a climate where employees felt able to question decisions or raise concerns was associated with greater willingness to act proactively.

The research was carried out by academics at Trinity Business School, Dublin City University Business School, Alliance Manchester Business School and ESSEC Business School.   

Professor Steven Kilroy of Trinity Business School and co-authors said that relationships influence how staff think and behave. “Relationships are effectively the nervous system of an organization, which affects how individuals think, feel, and act when they are at work,” they said.

They added: “positive work relationships are important for encouraging proactivity because they endow individuals, through affirmation and more general positive reinforcement, with a sense of confidence in their own ability to engage in a broader range of tasks,” noting that small, everyday interactions shape how far workers feel permitted to go beyond their job description.

The study concludes that relational culture can support performance, reduce errors and enhance resilience, and that investment in communication and team connection can strengthen workplace initiative at scale.

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