Is AI relationship building a thing? Some people may be inclined to say no. After all, building professional relationships with clients and colleagues takes time and effort—and requires a level of genuine personal engagement that can’t be replicated in an “artificial” environment.
In that spirit, we posed the following question in the ChatGPT search tool: “In 250 words, what are five outstanding ways for people to build better professional relationships with their colleagues and clients?”
This is what came back.
AI Relationship Building Recommendations
1. Communication: Communication is a critical component of building and maintaining professional relationships. Active listening and clear communication are essential to understand others’ perspectives, establish trust, and resolve conflicts. It is important to ensure that all communication is respectful, timely, and relevant.
2. Networking: Networking is a great way to build relationships with colleagues and clients. Attend professional conferences, seminars, and industry events to meet people in your field. It is important to be genuine and interested in others to establish long-lasting connections.
3. Collaboration: Collaboration is a great way to build relationships and achieve mutual success. Working together on projects can create opportunities to showcase skills and strengths while also learning from others. Be open to feedback and suggestions and communicate clearly to ensure a successful collaboration.
4. Empathy: Empathy is essential in building professional relationships. Understanding others’ perspectives and experiences helps to build trust and respect. When colleagues and clients feel understood, they are more likely to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas.
5. Follow-up: Following up is crucial to building strong professional relationships. After meetings, send a brief email summarizing the conversation and any action items. Additionally, it’s a good practice to check-in periodically with colleagues and clients to maintain the connection and show that you value the relationship.
Thoughtful Humans Required
Impressive, right? The AI relationship building ideas generated by ChatGPT are not off-base. But it is interesting to note that they all require a thoughtful human committed to relationship building to carry them out. AI can offer sensible recommendations—but only we humans have the power to put them into action.
The takeaway: Rather than worry about artificial intelligence replacing us, let’s use it to maximize our comparative advantage as human beings. In that vein, ask yourself the following questions:
- Which aspects of relationship building do I want to get better at?
- How can technology help me build my skills and cultivate my connections?
By approaching AI relationship building with an open mind and a plan of action, you’ll find that it can be a powerful tool for building and enhancing (rather than replacing) your professional connections.
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Attributions: AI Relationship Building Photo by DeepMind on Unsplash