Depth of Relationships

Every relationship we have has a "depth" to it. The most superficial may be the person you pass on the street and say hello to, and the most substantial could be with a spouse or child. In business, our relationships matter, but how deep do you go in developing your connection with your potential clients, coworkers, or perhaps employees? 

Like a bank account, we all make deposits and withdrawals as we interact in our relationships. We often remember the deposits but ignore the withdrawals, although both are important and have great impact. When you relate in a positive way that is productive and enjoyable for the other person, that's a deposit. When you have a negative exchange, especially one where the other person feels like they were unfairly treated, you have just made a withdrawal. If the good deposits do not substantially outweigh the withdrawals, you could have a bankrupt scenario, which is a "lose-lose" for both parties. 

So how do we develop a healthy professional relationship with those we come in contact with? Here are a few tips that I have learned over the years:

1) It's not all about you. When you meet a person and as you continue down a path of relationship, ask yourself: How can I help or best serve this person?

2) Determine early if this is a healthy relationship that you wish to expand upon or just one that will be passing.

3) Listen a lot. There will always be an opportunity to inject your thoughts, but listen more and see how things flourish.

4) Recognize that relationships can be complex, so don't take everything at face value. Think about what is behind the obvious.

5) Show that you care. I know I have said this before, but it certainly is worth repeating: People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

6) Invest your time and do it with focus. Strengthening relationships requires quality time.

Going deeper into your business relationships can prove most productive and creates a more enjoyable experience for all parties. Looking for a mutually advantageous affiliation can turn into a long-term connec­tion that may prove very profitable. Depth will strengthen your connec­tions and help to ensure the best results toward a "win-win" friendship of trust and reciprocal value. You need customers to succeed in business, and when you find the right ones that believe they need you, the benefits to all will be apparent. Working towards this is a wise path to follow. 

"Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that many people enter into a relationship in order to get something; they're trying to find someone who's going to make them feel good. In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not a place that you go to take." - Anthony Robbins