Think for a moment about the most important assets that you possess to help your business succeed. Some of the more common responses that we typically hear are money, tools, knowledge, or even a particular trade or skill.
However, when asked about the most important business building tool in a recent LinkedIn.com poll conducted by Barry Demp Coaching, LLC the majority of the participants stated that Relationship Building was the most important skill for business success.
There are several different types of relationships that you can have with different people as a business professional. Here are some examples:
- Customer
- Co-worker
- Vendor
- Employee
- Business Partner
- Trusted Referral source
- Client
- Contractor
- Prospective Client
- Former Client
Building and managing all of these different types of relationships can be quite challenging at times because they can each occur within a different context. Within each different context, it becomes extremely important to recognize how your behavior is viewed by the other person, and, how you expect to be treated by the other person. Remembering these two points will make your behavior top-of-mind and you will find yourself treating others the way you would like to be treated.
Top 5 Relationship Building Tips
- Be genuinely interested in what the other person has to say, and use open-ended questions to demonstrate your interest. Remember, everyone’s favorite subject is themselves. In your conversation use the words who, what, where, when, and how but avoid using the word “why” because it tends to put people on the defensive.
- Be a masterful listener. When we learn the art of “layering” (what a person said and using to create another open-ended question) we are honoring the other person and letting them know what they have to say is important.
- Do your best to look for what is good for valuable in what others are saying. When our “inner voice” or our outward comments are judgmental and critical we damage the relationship.
- Avoid interrupting others when they are talking. When people do this they are saying, “What I am thinking right now is more important that what you have to say”.
- Take full responsibility for your role in why your relationship works or does not work.
Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.
