Built to Last; A Relationship Continuum

The term relationship denotes connection, some type of attachment that warrants time and communication.  As it relates to people, many unconsciously feel as though once a relationship is established, there is little or no maintenance needed to sustain it.  Be it professional, personal, marital, spiritual, etc., there is a degree of sustenance required to support a healthy relationship.  Change is a universal inevitability and relationships don’t garner any immunity.  Regardless of how deep or shallow the relationship there is a level of up-keep necessary to preserve and grow.  As a generalization, relationships will give you exactly what you give them.

In business, strong relationships are paramount to the success of every component of every company.  As leaders, it is critical that we see ourselves as the vehicles that drive the behaviors within our relational sphere(s); if there is a problem, we are it.  The better we are able to optimize targeting, initiating, and developing the right relationships, the more manageable they are.  

• We must strategically select candidates based on the most important criteria for which they are chosen.
• We must effectively connect under ethical circumstances and on common ground.
• We must perpetually evolve in mutually beneficial directions.

These principles increase the probability of us investing adequate time, attention, and consideration into relationships so that we see anticipated returns at the very least.  

The term relationship should probably be a verb, illustrating the continuous energy that must be expended in order to make it work.  This concept is often thought to be linear when in actuality it is a cyclical continuum.  The relational process is essentially sales, an endless interview where effective communication strategies and gaining buy-in is imperative.  Two critical success factors with relationships are mind set and skill set.  An understanding that desired outcomes are within our control; we can and should be able to dictate the level and quality of relationships that we have.  By honing our selling skills, we are better able to posture favorable parameters in which we work.  Please be advised that this is all done with the Responsibility Hierarchy in mind.  Relationships are similar to  vehicles, in that the better they are built the less maintenance they require to last.  However, they must be driven responsibly, serviced regularly, and consistently cared for.  When we want our cars to last and relationships to work, we consciously pay the price to purchase and preserve them.  Great Selling!

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