Take Time to Invest in Relationships

It’s easy for in-house counsel to get engulfed in their work at the expense of developing relationships (at their workplace).  So use this blog-post as a friendly reminder to take the time to invest in your relationships -- with your key clients, with your peers, with your direct reports, and in your business network.

"Relationships and trust can be strengthened simply by spending quality time together," says Jon Gordon in his April 2011 post Winning with Relationships.  Here are some other quick thoughts on relationship building:

• Communications form relationships.  “Creating engaged relationships starts with great communication. Too many relationships and teams fall apart because of poor communication.  Great communication builds the trust that every relationship needs to thrive.”  Winning with Relationships.
• Listen to build relationships.  "To build relationships, begin by listening to people’s life stories — their journeys so far. Your genuine interest will mean a lot to them, and it will also help you to know their personal strengths and weaknesses."  Jon Maxwell on mentoring skills, in Leaders: Relate before you equip.
• Your experiences and skills.  "If you want to be a better communicator or a better leader, you can’t depend on dumb luck. You must learn to connect with others by making the most of whatever skills and experience you have," including your insight (what you know), your success (what you have done), and your ability (what you can do).  Jon Maxwell in Connecting Is More Skill than Natural Talent. 

This summary was prepared by Perry Cone and posted at www.leadinginhouse.com/
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