Research 2026-08-13 Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager Lausanne

The first weeks with a new manager: what research says

Is the relationship with a new manager decided in the first weeks? Leader-member exchange theory offers evidence.

Early formation

Robert Liden, Sandy Wayne and Dean Stilwell (1993, Journal of Applied Psychology) find mutual expectations in the first days predict relationship quality months later.

Solid correlates

Charlotte Gerstner and David Day (1997, Journal of Applied Psychology) link, meta-analytically, high-quality relationships to satisfaction, commitment and rated performance. Data are mostly correlational.

The first weeks with a new manager: what research says — SHR, Lausanne — Vaud

The nuance

A quality relationship is not complacency: it rests on trust, respect and clear two-way expectations. (our executive and employee training programmes)

The limit of common practice

Onboarding focuses on tools and procedures, rarely on explicit mutual expectations.

A practical check in Lausanne

In the first two weeks, propose a thirty-minute conversation on priorities, ways of working and check-in frequency. Revisit at three months. To go further: explore the Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager training in Lausanne, or browse our executive and employee training programmes in Switzerland.

In pictures: Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager in Lausanne

Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager training in Lausanne — in practice

Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager training in Lausanne — hands-on workshop

Building an Effective Relationship with Your Manager training in Lausanne — on the ground

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