Teamflect enables organizations to define and manage custom relationship types to reflect their internal matrix, mentorship, or reporting structures. These used to be called Focus Person types but are now referred to as Relationship Types.
By default, Teamflect includes a set of predefined relationship types. Admin users can expand this list to better support performance management, coaching, and succession planning needs.
Step-by-Step: How to Add a New Relationship Type
1. Navigate to the Admin Center
Navigate to Admin Center > Users > Relationships.
2. Click Manage Relationship Types
This button will redirect you to the dedicated page for managing all existing relationship types.
3. Select Add Relationship Type
This will open a new popup where you can define the relationship type.
4. Fill in the required details
Relationship Name & Description: Clearly label the type (e.g., “Mentor - Mentee”, “Dotted-line Manager”).
First and Second Participant Labels: Define how each participant is referred to.
Managerial Access: Use the toggle to determine whether the first participant will have access to the other’s private data (e.g., feedback, goals).
Visibility Controls: Choose whether this type will be available to all users or only visible/admin-assignable.
Understanding Visibility Controls
Visibility Controls determine whether a relationship type is available to end users or managed only by administrators.
Visibility option | Who can create or assign this relationship type? | What do end users see? |
Available to all users | End users can create relationships using this type, subject to your organization's permissions. Administrators can also manage relationships. | The relationship type is available as an option when users create relationships. |
Only visible to admins / Can only be added by admin | Only administrators can assign this relationship type through the Admin Center. | The relationship type is hidden from end users and is not available as an option when they create relationships. |
Use the first option for relationships employees should be able to create themselves, such as mentorships or peer-coaching relationships. Use the admin-only option for relationships that should be assigned centrally, such as succession-planning relationships.
Understanding Managerial Access
The Managerial Access toggle controls whether the first participant in a relationship can access the second participant's private performance data, such as goals, feedback, and reviews.
ON: The relationship can grant the first participant access to the second participant's relevant private performance data. When an end user creates this type of relationship, the other participant must approve the request before the additional access is granted.
OFF: The relationship can be created without this approval process. The other participant is notified, but the relationship does not grant access to private performance data.
Important: Enable Managerial Access only when the relationship requires access to private performance information. Creating a relationship does not automatically change a user's official manager or reporting line.
For more information about the approval process and data access, see What Happens When I Add Someone as a "Relationship" in Teamflect?.
Note on Relationship Type Naming
Relationship Types were previously called Focus Person types in Teamflect. If you see the older term in earlier documentation, it refers to the same feature.
5. Save
Click Create to finalize and add the relationship type to your list.
HR Use Cases
Mentorship Programs
Enable structured growth by assigning “Mentor-Mentee” relationships with clear visibility and goals.Matrix Reporting
Support project-based or dotted-line reporting through custom relationship types like “Project Manager - Contributor”.Succession Planning
Define future leader pipelines with relationship types such as “Successor - Sponsor” or “Talent - Coach”.
Final Thoughts
The redesigned Relationships module makes it easier for HR teams to model real-world organizational dynamics directly in Teamflect. By customizing relationship types, you gain more precision in how feedback, goals, and development plans are tracked—ensuring alignment with your people strategy and company culture.