On the 2nd day of 2015, I’m reminded of the power of relationships. I just finished a lunch with a wonderful, 20-year friend and former colleague, and this topic is top of mind. What could be more important in our personal and business lives? The holidays tend to bring this topic up as we get together with long-lost relatives (or celebrate remotely with them via Facebook, the phone or with tools like Skype), family, friends and colleagues. Actually those who have worked this week might have strengthened relationships with co-workers as there are typically so few people working that it provides a “common ground”.
As we go into the New Year, we all have plans, goals, resolutions and the like (whether verbalized or in our mind). Shouldn’t maintaining and strengthening relationships be at the top of our list? Who would you call if your car broke down? How about if you needed a last minute shipment from a key supplier? Or that last piece of data to fill out a potential contract with a customer? One of your relationships!
One tip to implement this week:
Relationships do not cost a cent; instead, the cost is in time and focus. What can you do to make your key relationships know they are appreciated? How about you pick up the phone and call one person each day next week to let them know they are appreciated and to provide one idea you think might help them? Not hard or time consuming yet powerful. It means you need to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and call with the thought process to bring them value. I guarantee your 2015 will be off to a great start.
Published January 2, 2015