Building REAL Relationships
How strong are your relationships? Relationships play a crucial role in shaping our well-being, success, and happiness. What are you doing to grow them?
It’s not what you know it’s WHO you know. How many times have you asked a friend for a restaurant recommendation? When you needed a great real estate broker, what did you do? When you look for a job, who are the first people you call? The relationships we need are everywhere, but what are you doing to harvest them?
Building relationships take time and are an ongoing process, hence the word “building”. “Building” is a present tense word. Do you ever look at your spouse, kids, family, or friends and say “That relationship is already built. I don’t need to work on it anymore”?
Building real relationships is an art, not a science. There are no mathematical formulas or AI Chatbots that will build the relationships you need to keep you thriving. When you met your spouse or partner, how much time did it take before you decided to get married? Did you submit a resume and just get the offer, or did you go through multiple interviews? As humans, we meet and we take time to get to know one another, but after that, what do you do?
At Averity, we know that relationships are the cornerstone and the foundation of what moves us forward. Here are some simple tips to help foster and keep those relationships powerful and thriving.
Be Proactive: Reach out and say “hi”, check in, and ask how things are going. Show that you genuinely care and are interested in their well-being. You know how it feels when someone does that for you.
Be Authentic: Authenticity is the foundation of any meaningful relationship. Be yourself, and let others see the real you. Authenticity builds trust and fosters genuine connections.
Be Vulnerable: You don’t have all the answers, don’t know everything and sure as hell aren’t perfect. Neither are they. If you don’t know something, just say you don’t know. If you’re having trouble, admit it. They’ve been there before as well and will appreciate your openness and honesty.
Don’t Ask “Why” ask “Why Not”: You have no idea who you’re going to meet. Why not just say hi and meet someone? Imagine if you spent your whole life NOT doing something new or meeting new people. Where would you be?
Self-Awareness: Reflect on your behavior and how it impacts your relationships. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, and work on personal growth.
Active Listening: When engaging with others, practice active listening. Pay attention to what they're saying, ask questions for clarification, and show that you value their input and opinions.
Give Without Expectation: Generosity can strengthen relationships. Give your time, help, or support without expecting something in return. This creates a sense of goodwill and reciprocity.
Respect Differences: Opposites attract. People are unique, and they may have different beliefs, values, and perspectives. Respect these differences, and engage in respectful discussions when necessary.
Be Patient: Building strong relationships takes time. Be patient and don't rush the process. Quality connections are often built slowly and steadily.
Network: In professional contexts, networking is essential. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and actively seek out mentors and collaborators.
Focus on the relationships that matter most to you and invest your energy where it will make the most significant impact on your life and the lives of those you care about.
Relationships power who we really are deep down as human beings, Remember that working on relationships is an ongoing effort. Different relationships require different strategies, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. It's also essential to be patient and understanding, as relationship change can take time. Building and maintaining a diverse and supportive network of relationships can be one of the most rewarding aspects of life.
This is all part of The Averity Experience.