It is Management Monday so let’s talk about managing relationships!
Steve Jobs and Bill Gates “You and I have Memories”
It’s no secret that most people spend the majority of their life working, but maybe the importance of the connections they make in that time is a secret. Professionals often spend more time with their co-workers and clients than with family. The truth is that a good majority of living is working. When twenty years have passed and leaders look back at their lives, are the connections they built important to them? In a touching interview of Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, the two gentlemen were asked about their work relationship. Steve responded by quoting a line from a Beetles song “You and I have memories, longer than the road that stretches out ahead.”
Below are some tips to help you make the most of your work day in the area of relationship building.
Tips for professional relationship building:
1. Be a sponge
As a friend you are like a sponge that soaks in the essence of the other person and what they care about. You let some of that be a part of you and pour out the core of who are to share openly with them.
2. Laugh a lot
Life is imperfect, work is sometimes a miss and things almost never work out the way we plan. The best way to form lasting work relationships is learning to laugh. Find humor in strange situations and set-backs.
3. Stay transparent
Even if some doesn’t agree with you, they will always respect your honesty. Showing honesty is a courageous and loving trait that is the core of relationship success.
4. Vocalize feelings
No relationship functions if it is only half active. Engage and communicate effectively.
5. Share the load
A little kindness goes a long way. As much time as you spend with business partners and co-workers, you have the opportunity to be emotionally intelligent about their situations. Offer to help when the opportunities come along.
6. Be social
If you’re going to make your work life meaningful, make an effort to spend time with people. Don’t just have lunch with them once a year. Frequently ask how their doing and plan fun out of office group activities to form stronger relationships.
7. Keep at it
Relationships are fragile and don’t happen overnight. You may not be able to connect with every person at work. When you do connect, remember that like all relationships, the friendship needs maintenance. If you feel like you’ve lost connection a little, boot it back up with a friendly gesture.
The importance of connecting and building relationships in business goes deeper than making a living. Truly caring about and connecting with others is the basis on which your career thrives. Are you making important memories?
What you missed last time: Revamp the “everyday”
The latest on Top Performer: Networking with Intelligence
