Relationships Versus Leadership

Effective leadership is a complex combination of skills,
knowledge, and other “personality” qualities all rolled
into one person or role.  Find the right combinations, and
your leadership career will prosper.  But how important is
it as a leader, to build great relationships based on trust
and respect?

Our focus at LeadershipMentor.net is to teach new leaders
how to be more successful.  The reason we enjoy the new
leaders, is because they typically are not “locked in” to a
communication or leadership “style”.  They are open to
learning how they can approach their new position to be
successful.  Try to sell an experienced leader that
building relationships based on trust and respect is vital
to success, and they will usually point out their great
track record without this focus.  In other words, they
simply use positional authority to get things done, rather
than influence.

So how can you build relationships with those around you,
that are truly based on trust and respect?

• “Walk Your Talk”-people watch and listen to your every
move.  If you are asking for team members to adhere to the
dress code, you need to do the same.  What you do is more
important than what you say.
• “Know Your Team”-get to know those you work with.  Where
do they live, are they married, do they have children, etc.
Relationships are not build only on business related
topics.  Balance the business areas with the personal,
making sure not to step over the line with regards to
personal information.
• “Build Equity”-you need to give before you can take.  Do
more for others than they ask for.  Beat the required
deadlines. Deliver more than asked to deliver.  These
things will make others “want” to return the favor at a
later time,  and building that relationship is that much
easier.
• “Work Hard”-nothing says more to those around you than
putting everything you have into your work.  When people
see that you are dedicated to being successful, they will
see you in a more positive light.  This does not mean
working 12-15 hour days.  Rather, spend your normal 8-9
hours really being productive.

Building relationships takes a lot of work.  It will
initially seem that you are putting much more “into” this
cause than what you are getting out of it.  But think of it
like watering a seed you recently planted into the ground.
If you provide the water and nutrients the plant needs now,
the plant will produce fruit later on.  And never count on
your “positional authority” to do what relationships can do
for you.

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