ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author argues that placing relationships at the center rather than at the periphery of people's experiences of work—as the figure, not the ground—throws into sharp relief the significance of positive relationships. It defines positive relationships as those that enable individuals to personally engage in their work—that is, to be authentic, present, and intellectually and emotionally available as they go about their work. The chapter begins by articulating the dimensions of meaningful connections among people at work. There are five such dimensions, drawn from various literatures across organizational studies. Individuals vary in terms of how much they each value these particular dimensions, have access to others who can and will provide these dimensions, and are able to themselves seek out and make use of others along these dimensions. The author explores these variations, and the resulting implications for people's engagements at work and the attachments they form to their work and to their group, and organizational contexts.
