Professional Behaviour -Professional Working Relationships

Case study

Siya, a second-year accounting student, is having difficulty managing his home life and study schedule. Siya wants to drop out of university but is advised by a friend to speak to the career practitioner on campus before making any hasty decisions. His friend suggests that a career practitioner may be able to help him with information to manage his studies. Siya is hesitant. He is the first in his family to be admitted to university and feels awkward discussing his challenges with a stranger. After much deliberation, Siya agrees to see the career practitioner.

A few days later, Siya makes an appointment. Mr Edward welcomes Siya when he arrives at his office, and Siya is immediately put at ease. Mr Edward is calm and respectful, and assures Siya that all discussions are in the strictest confidence. In the sessions that follow, Siya feels he can trust the career practitioner, who understands his needs and knows where to find relevant information. Siya feels free to speak his mind, and Mr Edward is consistently welcoming and non-judgemental towards him. After a few sessions, Siya is in a happier space and more confident in his studies. Mr Edward was able to help Siya plan his studies and offer techniques to manage his study workload.

What is a professional working relationship?

A working relationship between a practitioner and client is also referred to as a professional relationship. It describes the connection and, in a sense, the bond between the two, and is said to begin from the moment the practitioner and client establish why support is needed.

Maintaining a professional working relationship is essential to the practitioner–client dynamic. Creating a safe, professional relationship builds trust between the client and the practitioner, and this relationship only becomes meaningful and beneficial to the client once a degree of trust has been established.

A healthy working relationship between a practitioner and client typically has the following qualities:

- Respect and trust that is reciprocal between both parties.

- Agreement between both parties on the tasks and outcomes of the sessions.

- Active involvement of both the practitioner and client in the decision-making process.

- Freedom for both parties to discuss any negative feelings or issues that may arise.

Elements of a positive working relationship

- A judgement-free zone. The professional relationship must be based on non-judgement and an atmosphere of safety, which helps the client feel comfortable discussing what is on their mind. It is the practitioner's responsibility to ensure the environment is safe and non-judgemental, so as to encourage openness.

- Communication skills and feedback. A positive professional relationship enables a client to feel safe and empowered enough to share their thoughts and feelings with the practitioner. This level of trust allows for free, honest and uncensored dialogue between both parties.

- Collaborating for success. A working relationship succeeds when it is based on teamwork. Real strength lies with the client, and the practitioner acts as the guiding hand who assists them. Teamwork between the client and practitioner is the most reliable way to achieve the client's goals.

- The final stage. Once the client has achieved their goal, it becomes the practitioner's responsibility to facilitate a healthy closure and help the client bring the process to an end in a way that honours the effort and work undertaken by both parties.

How can practitioners build healthy professional working relationships?

Building healthy working relationships depends on several factors:

- Be empathetic. Empathy is essential for every practitioner. It enables the practitioner to understand and respect what the client is feeling and saying, so practitioners must approach clients with empathy and compassion.

- Focus on the client. Practitioners must remain attentive and focused on their clients. Doing so produces better plans for the client.

- Set objectives. Based on the client's story, the practitioner should help set goals or objectives together with the client. Doing this gives the client hope that a solution can be found for their issues.

- Always be positive. Practitioners should endeavour to remain positive with their clients. Clients become discouraged with a practitioner if they feel they are being judged.

- Be flexible and patient. Practitioners must be flexible and patient in their approach to clients. Each client progresses at a different pace, so flexibility and patience are key to maintaining a healthy professional relationship.

- Try to be unbiased. Practitioners must try to remain unbiased towards their clients' beliefs and practices. A good practitioner incorporates the client's priorities into the resulting action plan.

- Confidentiality is crucial. Practitioners must ensure they maintain client confidentiality at all times.

Conclusion

Creating and maintaining a healthy professional working relationship is critical to success with a client. By creating an atmosphere of safety, clients feel comfortable enough to share openly with their practitioners. As sessions progress, client and practitioner form a mutual bond of trust in which the practitioner is viewed as a helper. By developing this kind of professional working relationship, both practitioners and clients benefit significantly.