Why do you want to build strong business relationships?
Strong business relationships are the key to personal and professional success. People who build them are known as connectors, and connecting is a skilled activity that can be learned, improved, and measured.
Ask most great connectors about the secret to success and inevitably they will mention the word momentum. Through a combination of positive beliefs, healthy habits, and applied skills, they set in motion a circle of connection that benefits everything from physical and spiritual health to financial success and more.
Importantly, every person you meet has his or her own circle of connection. Each circle is unique, and each circle overlaps and interlinks with other circles.
Circles of Connection
Take a look at the graphic below. You’ll notice that “Self” appears at the center of the circle, yet true connectors don’t seek to be the center of attention. Rather, they look inward. They tap into a purpose, cause, or belief (their “why”) to find meaningful ways to be of service to others. That’s what builds strong relationships (and explains why the arrows point outward from the self to include family, friends, colleagues, and community).
So, how can you tap into your best “Self” to strengthen your relationships and expand your circles of connection? According to Simon Sinek, author of Start with Why (Portfolio, 2009), accomplished leaders all have one thing in common: They know why they do what they do.
In other words, they think, act, and communicate from the inside out. They begin with the Why before getting into the details of the What and the How.
What’s YOUR Why?
Becoming a great connector requires deliberate self-analysis that begins with the question, “Why?” Understanding what inspires you to build strong business relationships will focus your efforts and help you make more intentional decisions to achieve your goals and objectives.
Below are two questions from the Why Build Strong Business Relationships? e-learning course (part of The Galvanizing Group’s interactive online learning curriculum) to help get you started
Why do I want to become a better relationship builder? List as many reasons you can think of for wanting to become a better connector. Try using the “5 Whys” technique (asking “Why?” five times in a row) to get to the root of each reason.
What do I want to achieve in my lifetime, and who can help get there? Be specific. Write down names. If you don’t have an individual name (i.e., you don’t know the person yet), write a job title or use “TBD” as a placeholder.
By beginning with the end in mind, you lay the foundation of a solid relationship building plan.
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The Galvanizing Group (www.thegalvanizinggroup.com) offers a systematic and measurable approach to business relationship building taught through innovative coaching, training, and online learning programs. For more information about our e-learning courses designed to grow relationship building confidence and skill, please contact info@galvanizinggroup.com.