“Interpersonal savvy is critical in almost any area of business” said Timothy Butler and James Waldroop in their 4 Dimensions of Relational.

 How managers can boost their productivity?

1. Hiring the right employees
2. Make the best work (project) assignments
3. Reward performance in the right way
4. Promote career development.

Waldroop and Butler say one should distinguish between 4 types of relational interests and skills:

1. Influence:

Professionals who like developing and extending their area of interpersonal influence! They take contentment in opinion, negotiation and the power of holding valuable information and ideas. This refers to Sales Managers, Marketing Managers, Negotiators and M&A dealmakers.

2. Interpersonal Facilitation:

People that are keenly adjusted to the interpersonal aspects of work situations.
They intuitively focus on others' experiences and usually quietly behind the scenes to keep their colleagues committed and engaged so that projects run smoothly.
This refers to HR managers.

3. Relational Creativity:

People who are good at forging connections with groups of people through visual and verbal imagery!

This refers to advertising people and brand managers.

4. Team Leadership:

Such people feel satisfied with a strong need to see and interact with other people.

They like managing and working through high-energy teams in hectic service environments. This is mainly applicable to Program Managers and Managers of Direct Service Delivery Units.

These four dimensions of relational work are not distinct types; a person can have great interest and skill in two or more areas or in none of them. All  types of relational work contribute to the end results and thus should be rewarded.