By Sam Robinson
One key skill we come back to time and again during our programs is the importance of relationship building. We get to meet a group of people and watch their success over an extended period and this gives us an opportunity to model relationship building and support leaders in their relationship skills.
Relationships are complex but if I was to name the top 3 relationship building skills, they would be:
- Attentive listening
- Attentive listening… and
- Attentive listening
Building genuine relationships is critical for a leader’s success. Strong relationships are the foundation of a successful organisation, and a leader who can build and maintain genuine relationships with their team, stakeholders, and clients is more likely to achieve their goals.
Poor relationship building can have dire consequences for an organisation. For example, a leader who is unable to connect with their team is unlikely to inspire them to give their best effort. Poor communication and lack of trust can result in low morale, lack of accountability and ultimately, poor performance.
On the other hand, good relationship building can help leaders to build a strong and motivated team, foster a positive work culture, and ultimately drive business success. A good example of this is the leader of an Australian engineering firm we’ve worked with, who spent time getting to know her team and understanding their individual strengths and weaknesses. She made a point of regularly checking in with team members and providing them with the support and resources they needed to excel. As a result, the team was highly engaged and motivated, and the company experienced significant growth.
To build genuine relationships, leaders must be willing to invest time and energy into understanding the needs and perspectives of their team, stakeholders, and clients. They must also be willing to be open, honest, and transparent in their communication. LKS Quaero can help leaders understand how to build relationships that stand the test of time. We offer a range of services including leadership development and coaching, which can help leaders to build the skills and knowledge they need to be effective relationship builders.
At LKS Quaero, we help leaders to get relationship building right. For more information, visit us at lksquaero.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook
