The most obvious answers to the question, “What drives business success” are “an unbelievable product, great customer service, and access to resources.” However, one answer that many people would hardly mention is “relationships.” The truth is you cannot separate relationships from business success, or any success at all.
Jim Rohn, an American motivational speaker and entrepreneur, said, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” This means that your circle, not just as an entrepreneur or corporate professional, but as an individual matters a lot. Who you have around you will determine how successful or unsuccessful you will be.
Have you been struggling with building the right circle? Here are five powerful relationship hacks that would help you out:
- Don’t connect only when you need something; actively reach out to them regularly: Have you had some folks reach out to you only when they need something? Most times, it feels like you are being used. Such parasitic relationships are parasitic and never work in the end. A healthy relationship is built on the foundation of consistent communication. Don’t just reach out to people because you need them; reach out because you value them. Let your communication with them be consistent so that they know that you appreciate them.
- Give before you ask: You must have heard the phrase, “It is always better to give than to receive.” This phrase has never been truer than in building relationships. Asking is not a bad thing, but giving makes it easier for people to connect with you and give back when you are in need. Find out what the other person needs that you can give. Provide it without hidden intentions and watch your relationship with them grow.
- Genuinely be interested in the other person: When building relationships, don’t just do so for what you will gain from the other individual. Ensure that you have a genuine interest in the other person. You cannot give to a person that you don’t have an interest in. Symbiotic relationships are the best because each party has a genuine interest in the other person. People become more open when they know that you truly care about them, not just what they offer.
- Remember the other person’s personal details such as names, job roles, etc.: How do you feel when you meet a person for the umpteenth time and they can’t remember your name or what you do? It hurts. When you meet people that you want to be part of your circle, make it a habit to access and store their details in your mind. Doing this helps you gain access to their personal space quicker and grows their interest in you.
- Always follow up: Don’t just meet people once and assume that you already have something going on because of the initial great connection. Building relationships is an intentional process that requires effort and time. Make sure that you follow up on individuals that you want to get close to. Send a message, put a call through, and shoot them an email. While doing this, ensure that you don’t become irritable; it could spoil everything you are trying to build.
Your circle matters; it plays an important role in the quality of your productivity. I have shared five relationship hacks to help you in this post. You can connect with me for more purpose and leadership resources via @rotimikehinde.