October’s a brand new month, and thus ushers in a brand new theme for us to explore.
What better way to kick off this month’s topic of Relationships & Recruitment than a Thought Partner titled “The ART of Relationships”?
Let’s jump in the shallow end, shall we? (Shallow because I’m attempting to keep this one short, not because the content lacks depth.)
For me, relationships are the key to everything in life. Relationships expand our network. Relationships help bring us and our companies new opportunities. Relationships multiply positivity in the world. Relationships allow us to negotiate compromises (personally, professionally, & globally). Relationships power the spread of new ideas, concepts, and products. Without relationships, we go nowhere, with no one.
Cultivating and maintaining relationships is an ART form. And with any art form, like writing, acting, singing, painting, etc, certain skills and components need to be practiced and crafted over time to hone their brilliance.
As you consider the various relationships in your life, understand that it is the ART of those relationships that matters more than ever in today’s environment.
Are you practicing the ART of Relationships?
AFFABLE – Are you pleasantly and easily approachable? Do you people find it easy to speak with you, brainstorm with you, and talk about their successes and the concerns they may have on their mind? Affable doesn’t mean that you are always agreeable, always cheery, or always in a good mood. It doesn’t mean that you are not serious or diligent. It simply means that people feel you are fair, approachable, cordial, and, dare I say, kind.
RECEPTIVE – Do you display an openness to ideas, improvements, and suggestions? Do you ask good questions and combine curiosity with a desire to change and improve systems and processes? Receptive doesn’t mean you sway with the wind and change direction when a new suggestion is offered; it means others anticipate your response to their ideas will be ‘thank you’ vs. ‘absolutely not’.
TACTFUL – When communicating difficult messages, are you skillful in your consideration and sensitive in your delivery? Do you demonstrate respect and empathy towards others thoughtfully and diplomatically? It’s hard to know the right words to say all the time, and it’s even harder for those words to be called up to the prefrontal cortex of your brain when your amygdala (middle brain) is experiencing stress, pressure, and big emotion. The measure of our words maintains our relationships.
How skilled are you in the ART of Relationship building and maintenance?
Which skill of your craft will you hone today?
Affable
Receptive
Tactful
