The Business of Relationships
Posted on 09 February 2010
"I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles but
today it means getting along with people" - Mahatma Gandhi
Is Gandhi's comment on the importance of "getting along with
people" in leadership correct? Are good business relationships
influencing the bottom line more than ever before?
Ask someone who loves their work, who is passionate about what
they do. What motivates them to find that extra 5%: what allows
them to pay attention to the details which others miss or ignore?
Sure, such people mention pay and conditions of employment - these
have got to be right - but the real difference is in what they say
about their work environment and the people they work with.
The Best Companies to work for rank very highly when measured on
trust, mutual respect, compassion, supportive colleagues, honest
and fair feedback: these are the qualities associated with any good
relationship, personal or professional. If there was ever a time
when such values were needed in business it is now. Put it
another way: what are the chances of long term business success
when the relationship issues are relegated to 2nd or 3rd place in
organisation? Low trust, little respect for opinions of others,
dishonesty and so forth. So, here are a few tips on how we can
improve our business relationships and so make our workplaces more
productive, more pleasant and more profitable!
1. Listen - to a world-class standard… listen and listen
again. There is nothing quite like knowing you have been listened
to, that your point of view has been heard. If you listen
attentively to others you are showing them respect and it also
affects what they say.
2. Be sincere about listening… don't pretend to listen - it's
almost impossible to fake.
3. Get famous for your reliability… deliver on the little as
well as the big things; being on time, returning calls, washing
your cup on the canteen!
4. Cut out the criticism… it's just a habit that does more
harm than good - to you as well as those around you.
5. Ask yourself how you can meet the needs of your work
colleagues or your company… it will make you feel great and your
colleagues will really appreciate it.
6. Be optimistic… optimism, positive thinking and a "can do"
attitude is contagious (and so is the reverse). If you are
surrounded by negativity don't just go with the flow - (only dead
fish do this) - be the person who brings some cheerfulness and
fun.
If it's not already there, are you ready to build a passion for
nurturing excellent relationships into your strategy for business
and personal success?
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