Our Internal Relationships Matter Greatly!

The practice of helping others become their best selves is fundamental not only to highly effective leadership, also to our success within our company and in business in general.

A priest, leading his people to live virtuous and happy lives, shared the following message: “The most effective way for us to influence and inspire someone is to develop a relationship with that person and to be a role model, so the person respects our values, our way of being, and wishes to follow our example.”

Being a servant leader and a role model of a life well lead is far more effective than telling someone, “Here’s how you should develop effective relationships”, or, “Here’s how you should live.”

Sounds simple. So why do so many people in business feel many their working relationships are not helpful and constructive?

Well, it can be simple, for example, key principles are:

• Attitude is everything – know that we have a responsibility to treat others with respect and kindness, and to help them learn, grow and succeed.
• Respectfully offer timely and honest feedback – positive and also constructive, i.e., areas of potential improvement. In fact, this is what people want from their managers.
• Have humility, we are no better and no worse than anyone else, and we are all teammates.

It is the relationships we develop with our team members that enable us to have a positive influence.

Certainly, there is a place for email, i.e., to distribute information efficiently. Yet, let us realize that it is conversations, not emails, which create the path to quality relationships, relationships that are founded on respect and trust.

We need to engage our team members in conversations, asking purposeful questions and listening to learn and understand. Bottom-up ideas and ideas that are built upon are the best ideas!

Just imagine the rich information we’ll receive if we ask our people:

• How could we improve our communication?
• What could be our competitive advantage going forward?
• What gets in the way of doing your best work?
• How could I be more helpful to you?
• What do you think should be our immediate priorities?
• What should we be trying to make happen in the next six months?
• What advice do you have for me?

Take notes. It helps us remember and it is a sign of respect. People want to be heard and to feel that their ideas matter. They will appreciate being asked, and they will have helpful ideas!

Let’s spend less time in meetings and more time walking the halls to be with our team members and other colleagues.