The Overlooked Skill That Fuels Workplace Success

By Dr. David Marine Mabry
Encompass Executive Director

Every workplace has its quirks—inside jokes, unwritten rules, and yes, even the occasional debate over who moved the stapler. But if you’ve been following our blog series this month, you know those surface-level irritations point to something deeper: the quality of our workplace relationships. 
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Whether it was a moment of tension like the one shared in Theresa’s lighthearted story about Greg, or Cindee’s reminder of the power of words, or Lavern’s call for clarity, safety, and morale, one truth echoed throughout: our work lives rise or fall on the strength of our relationships.
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And yet, in most workplaces, relationship skills are the least trained and least resourced. ​

The Cost of Relational Neglect 

Let’s put it plainly: unhealthy relationships at work are expensive. 

• A recent Grammarly/Harris Poll study found that miscommunication costs U.S. businesses $1.2 trillion each year--that’s $12,506 per employee annually.
• The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that 58% of employees say workplace conflicts are mostly due to tone, communication style, or misunderstandings—not performance issues.
• According to Gallup, only 3 in 10 employees strongly agree that someone at work encourages their development—a key factor in emotional connection and retention. 

• And one of the most cited reasons people leave their jobs? Relational dysfunction with a manager or coworker. 

These numbers make one thing clear: the skill we’re ignoring is the one we can’t afford to neglect. 

Emotional Intelligence: The True Competitive Advantage 

In 1998, psychologist Daniel Goleman wrote in Harvard Business Review that emotional intelligence (EQ) is “the sine qua non of leadership”—Latin for the essential thing. His research revealed that leaders with high EQ significantly outperform others, not because of superior technical knowledge, but because of how they navigate relationships. 

Emotional intelligence includes: 

• Self-awareness 

• Self-regulation 

• Empathy 

• Social skills 

• Motivation 

None of these are innate talents. They can be taught, practiced, and refined. That’s where workplace relationship training comes in. 

What Relationship Training Can Do 

At Encompass Connection Center, we’ve developed the Work Smart, Live Well program to address the very heart of workplace challenges: human interaction. 

Our training doesn’t just check a professional development box—it gives teams real tools to improve communication, navigate conflict, and foster trust. 

Key components include: 

• Personality Awareness – Using the DISC model, teams explore how different styles communicate, make decisions, and respond to stress. 

• Stress Management Tools – Because let’s face it—most poor interactions are stress reactions. Training helps identify triggers and reset before reacting. 

• Feedback and Conflict Skills – Healthy feedback strengthens trust, but most people were never taught how to give or receive it well. 

• Culture Building Strategies – Creating rhythms and rituals that build morale, celebrate wins, and promote belonging. 

When teams build these relational muscles, they don’t just “get along”—they collaborate better, innovate more, and stay longer. 

Relationship Training Is the Missing Piece 

The truth is, your workplace already has a culture—whether it was built with intention or not. The question is, is it healthy? 
Are misunderstandings brushed off? Are employees feeling seen, heard, and valued? Are personality clashes draining productivity? 

If the answer is “not really,” there’s a solution—and it doesn’t require massive restructuring or a year-long initiative. It starts with a relational reset. A decision to make connection and communication a priority. 

Let’s Get to Work—The Right Way 

We believe relational health at work is spiritual, practical, and transformational. 
That’s why Encompass exists—not just to teach skills, but to foster resilient, respectful, and fulfilling workplaces. 

Ready to start? 

👉 Take our FREE Workplace Assessment and see where your team stands. 
👉 Then explore our Work Smart, Live Well program to bring practical, faith-informed relationship tools to your organization. 

Visit our WSLW page to begin. 

Let’s stop assuming people “just know how to get along.” 
Let’s train for connection—and transform the way we work. ​