Taking the time to build a relationship can be helpful and it must be done properly. There are instances in which having a key relationship can help and being able to build it will help later on. Being able to meet someone is the first step but taking the time to build that relationship is even more important.
Below are some tips on building a relationship with someone:
1) Take the Time to Listen- It's easy to provide someone with your own verbal autobiography during the first meeting, however, that will likely bore the other person and prohibit a relationship from developing. Take the time to listen to the other person in the conversation and inquire more. You don't need to interrogate the other person but take the time to listen and show an interest
2) Find a Common Way to Keep in Touch - Someone prefer phone calls, others prefer e-mails, some prefer texts, the list goes on. Take the time to find a way to keep in touch with the person and find the method that will work for him or her. You don't have to bombard someone with multiple e-mails, texts or calls to get a response. Find the method that works best and remember to be patient.
3) If Possible, Try and Find Common Ground - It's not always easy to find common ground with someone and in some instances, you may not have anything in common with the other person. If you can, try and find a common interest or passion. It will not only serve as a conversation starter but opportunities to build that relationship.
4) Be Respectful to the Other Person - This does sound obvious but realize that certain comments or reacting a certain way to someone's comment could be a turnoff. Be respectful to the other person's beliefs, positions, backgrounds, etc. when developing a relationship. Make sure to be open minded as well.
Showing posts with label business relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business relationships. Show all posts
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Be Grateful For What You Have
Throughout out lives, there are times in which we come across others that may have a nicer car, a bigger house or other luxury items or talents we wish we had as well. Sometimes it may be difficult not having certain items or talents but looking at what you have in your life instead of what you don't have in your life may help put things into another perspective.
For example, when I was in high school, I ran track but was never as fast as some of our other runners and not as athletically gifted. It may have seemed hard at times knowing I was never going to be a championship runner, however, I decided to look at it from a different perspective. I looked at the experience as an opportunity to make some awesome friends (some of which I still talk to to this day) and find different ways to contribute to the team. I often found myself cheering on my teammates who helped win meets for us and even put together the end of the season video (a tradition that continues to this day).
In this case, I knew I didn't have the athletic ability some of my teammates possessed but I understood the awesome friends I had made and the importance of cheering on your teammates. I may not have been the fastest runner out there but knew I had met some great people and learned some valuable skills along the way.
As another example, growing up, I knew others that could paint and draw pictures really well, however, I could not (and still cannot) do either very well. Instead of being upset that I couldn't do either one of these activities very well, I found another way to be artistic by taking pictures. After years of doing video production, photography came easy because I was understood how to frame a shot, could vision what I wanted a photo to look like and it has become one of my favorite hobbies. Instead of being upset about not being able to draw or paint well, I am grateful I had the skills to take some great pictures and become artistic in that sense.
Even beyond my high school years, I have still come across those who have more athletic talents then I have, have other skills I don't possess and may have a few items I don't have as well. While it might be easy to be jealous or upset in these cases, I learned that looking at it from another perspective has helped me be grateful for the things I do have. By looking at things from this type of perspective, it has helped me appreciate the friends I have, what I can do and the small things in life that put a smile on my face.
For example, when I was in high school, I ran track but was never as fast as some of our other runners and not as athletically gifted. It may have seemed hard at times knowing I was never going to be a championship runner, however, I decided to look at it from a different perspective. I looked at the experience as an opportunity to make some awesome friends (some of which I still talk to to this day) and find different ways to contribute to the team. I often found myself cheering on my teammates who helped win meets for us and even put together the end of the season video (a tradition that continues to this day).
In this case, I knew I didn't have the athletic ability some of my teammates possessed but I understood the awesome friends I had made and the importance of cheering on your teammates. I may not have been the fastest runner out there but knew I had met some great people and learned some valuable skills along the way.
As another example, growing up, I knew others that could paint and draw pictures really well, however, I could not (and still cannot) do either very well. Instead of being upset that I couldn't do either one of these activities very well, I found another way to be artistic by taking pictures. After years of doing video production, photography came easy because I was understood how to frame a shot, could vision what I wanted a photo to look like and it has become one of my favorite hobbies. Instead of being upset about not being able to draw or paint well, I am grateful I had the skills to take some great pictures and become artistic in that sense.
Even beyond my high school years, I have still come across those who have more athletic talents then I have, have other skills I don't possess and may have a few items I don't have as well. While it might be easy to be jealous or upset in these cases, I learned that looking at it from another perspective has helped me be grateful for the things I do have. By looking at things from this type of perspective, it has helped me appreciate the friends I have, what I can do and the small things in life that put a smile on my face.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Building Friendships Starts With Getting To Know Others
During your college years and even beyond, developing friendships inside and outside of the business world is key. Having a network of professional and personal contacts can help you become more rounded, be beneficial at key times and having others to enjoy your successes with. One of the biggest keys to building friendships is taking the time to getting to know others, their interests and their passions.
When you first meet someone new, it is easy to start discussing your goals, your hobbies and your passions. This will help the other person understand what you are about, however, it could also be a turn off at times. You might appear to be self-absorbed and not willing to learn about someone else by spending too much time talking about yourself.
During your first couple interactions with someone new, take time to learn about the person standing or sitting across from you. Take time to learn about his or her passions, interests and hobbies in life. You will end up having a better conversation, will develop trust with that person and it will mean a lot that you are showing an interest in someone else.
Once you have developed trust in a relationship, find a way to keep in touch with that person via e-mail, phone numbers, Facebook, etc. You don't need to call, e-mail or send a text message every day to develop the relationship; just a casual e-mail, phone call on the way home from work or quick text message will do the trick.
In addition to keeping in touch, find time to socialize with one another. If you two enjoy meeting for coffee, find a local coffee shop to hang out at once a month. If you two enjoy sporting events, make a point to go to a game when you two have the chance. By socializing with that person, you will develop the relationship and get to know the person even better.
Throughout life, having a vast network of friends is beneficial and the first step to building these relationships is taking the time to know others. Take time to learn about someone else, his or her passions and keep in touch. It will build trust and a lasting relationship.
When you first meet someone new, it is easy to start discussing your goals, your hobbies and your passions. This will help the other person understand what you are about, however, it could also be a turn off at times. You might appear to be self-absorbed and not willing to learn about someone else by spending too much time talking about yourself.
During your first couple interactions with someone new, take time to learn about the person standing or sitting across from you. Take time to learn about his or her passions, interests and hobbies in life. You will end up having a better conversation, will develop trust with that person and it will mean a lot that you are showing an interest in someone else.
Once you have developed trust in a relationship, find a way to keep in touch with that person via e-mail, phone numbers, Facebook, etc. You don't need to call, e-mail or send a text message every day to develop the relationship; just a casual e-mail, phone call on the way home from work or quick text message will do the trick.
In addition to keeping in touch, find time to socialize with one another. If you two enjoy meeting for coffee, find a local coffee shop to hang out at once a month. If you two enjoy sporting events, make a point to go to a game when you two have the chance. By socializing with that person, you will develop the relationship and get to know the person even better.
Throughout life, having a vast network of friends is beneficial and the first step to building these relationships is taking the time to know others. Take time to learn about someone else, his or her passions and keep in touch. It will build trust and a lasting relationship.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Building Relationships Can Start With Finding Common Ground
Taking time to build relationships is key and can be done in several different ways. Taking time to keep in touch and learning about others are a couple of different ways to build relationships but finding common ground and interests can be an excellent way to develop a relationship with someone. Finding a hobby or common interest with someone can lead to building a stronger relationship with that person.
When trying to develop a relationship with someone, finding a common interest is a great starting point for finding time to bond and socialize with that person. For example, I am a huge hockey fan and one really good friend of mine shares the same passion for the game. When I first met this person, we found this common ground and built our relationship by going to games with one another. During this time, I was able to socialize with my friend, learn more about him and have developed a great friendship with him as a result. We often go to games each year and have a great friendship as a result of that.
Even though sports can be a common ground, other interests can help create similar friendships. For example, if you have an interest in fishing and come across someone with that same interest, going out for a fishing outing with this person can be a great way to develop that friendship. If you enjoy scrapbooking, inviting someone with that same interest to a scrapbooking party can help you create a stronger bond with that person. The sky is the limit and finding that common ground with a particular hobby can be a great way to develop that relationship.
Finding common ground is key in develop a relationship but taking time to enjoy it with another person can help strengthen that friendship for the future. Whether your interest is in sports, fishing, photography or anything else, finding that common ground can pave the path for developing that relationship.
When trying to develop a relationship with someone, finding a common interest is a great starting point for finding time to bond and socialize with that person. For example, I am a huge hockey fan and one really good friend of mine shares the same passion for the game. When I first met this person, we found this common ground and built our relationship by going to games with one another. During this time, I was able to socialize with my friend, learn more about him and have developed a great friendship with him as a result. We often go to games each year and have a great friendship as a result of that.
Even though sports can be a common ground, other interests can help create similar friendships. For example, if you have an interest in fishing and come across someone with that same interest, going out for a fishing outing with this person can be a great way to develop that friendship. If you enjoy scrapbooking, inviting someone with that same interest to a scrapbooking party can help you create a stronger bond with that person. The sky is the limit and finding that common ground with a particular hobby can be a great way to develop that relationship.
Finding common ground is key in develop a relationship but taking time to enjoy it with another person can help strengthen that friendship for the future. Whether your interest is in sports, fishing, photography or anything else, finding that common ground can pave the path for developing that relationship.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Taking Time To Learn About Others is Key in Building Relationships
In business and in your personal life, having relationships and friends can provide support and encouragement. It's important to have those who will be in your corner, lend a shoulder to cry on when needed and be a good sounding board when you need one. Relationships can be beneficial and can be built by taking the time to learn about the other person.
As a way to build a relationship with someone, it's important to take time to learn about the person sitting across from you instead of giving them your verbal autobiography. Taking time to understand the other person's interests, needs, and values shows you care and provides reason for the relationship to develop. Showing an interest in what's important to the person you are building a relationship with will set you apart from so many other people.
Developing relationships and taking time to learn about others does take practice but can be done. You can practice by talking to your neighbors at home. the people you work with, the people you interact with at your favorite restaurants or coffee shops, etc. When you interact with these people, take time to show interest in their day, what they are currently up to and you might be surprised how a conversation and relationship can develop.
During my college years, one of the ways I practiced learning about others is by taking time to ask the cafeteria people, my classmates, my professors, the people who worked in the bookstore, etc. how their days were going and listening to what these people had to say. By taking time to simply ask, "Are you having a good day?" or "What have you been up to lately?" and listening to their responses, it set me apart because I took time to show I cared about the person I was asking the question to. It made me a more familiar and friendly face on campus and I was able to make a lot of friends as a result of this.
Building relationships is key but how you go about doing it is important as well. Take time to learn about others and it can open up more doors then you can imagine.
As a way to build a relationship with someone, it's important to take time to learn about the person sitting across from you instead of giving them your verbal autobiography. Taking time to understand the other person's interests, needs, and values shows you care and provides reason for the relationship to develop. Showing an interest in what's important to the person you are building a relationship with will set you apart from so many other people.
Developing relationships and taking time to learn about others does take practice but can be done. You can practice by talking to your neighbors at home. the people you work with, the people you interact with at your favorite restaurants or coffee shops, etc. When you interact with these people, take time to show interest in their day, what they are currently up to and you might be surprised how a conversation and relationship can develop.
During my college years, one of the ways I practiced learning about others is by taking time to ask the cafeteria people, my classmates, my professors, the people who worked in the bookstore, etc. how their days were going and listening to what these people had to say. By taking time to simply ask, "Are you having a good day?" or "What have you been up to lately?" and listening to their responses, it set me apart because I took time to show I cared about the person I was asking the question to. It made me a more familiar and friendly face on campus and I was able to make a lot of friends as a result of this.
Building relationships is key but how you go about doing it is important as well. Take time to learn about others and it can open up more doors then you can imagine.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Saying Hello and Taking Time To Know Others: A Lesson From NHL Star Mark Messier
"How are you doing today?"
When going into your office or workplace everyday, how difficult is it to ask that to those who work with you? Asking someone how his or her day is going is really not difficult to do and can help build your relationship and trust with that person.
On a daily basis, you can simply go into your office or workplace and not really take the time to get to know your teammates and others that work in your office. You can simply go in, do what you have to do, and leave for the day but how can you build relationships with these people if you don't take the time to get to know them? If you come across as if you don't care, how do you expect these people to respond to you when you need them the most?
Taking a few minutes to get to talk to others isn't as hard as it seems. Simply saying, "Hello, how are you doing?" to others you work with and listening to the responses can really mean a lot to the person you are conversing with. It's not everyday that someone within your management team will say hello and get to know the people who work alongside you or at other parts of the company so saying hello and taking time to know the person you are talking to can make a difference.
Being a lifelong hockey fan, one of the best examples I can provide is what NHL Legend and Hall of Famer Mark Messier (pronounced Mess-EE-ay) did when he was a member of the New York Rangers. Messier knew he could just walk into the practice rink or Madison Square Garden on a nightly basis and not really talk to anyone but his teammates. He simply could have walked in, did what he had to do, and walked out at the end of the day but he didn't.
While serving as team captain, Messier took time everyday to say hello to those who worked in the Rangers front office, Madison Square Garden and many others as he walked into and out of the arena. Messier understood that taking time out of his day to ask others how their days were going showed he cared. These people felt more comfortable around Messier and found it easier to talk to this NHL Legend because he took the time to know them as people and showed he cared. As a result, Messier is still considered to be on of the most beloved New York Ranger and NHL players of all time because off his willingness to learn about others and show he cared.
Taking time out of your day to know others isn't that difficult and it will show others you work with that you care. Sparing just a few minutes of your day to check in on how another worker or person is doing can make a difference and build a relationship with that person. You can practice by asking the people working in your local coffee shop, favorite restaurant or other gathering places how their days are going and you will be surprised how meaningful it is to them that you are taking time to get to know them. Once you do that, take time at work to do the same and you will start to see a difference.
When going into your office or workplace everyday, how difficult is it to ask that to those who work with you? Asking someone how his or her day is going is really not difficult to do and can help build your relationship and trust with that person.
On a daily basis, you can simply go into your office or workplace and not really take the time to get to know your teammates and others that work in your office. You can simply go in, do what you have to do, and leave for the day but how can you build relationships with these people if you don't take the time to get to know them? If you come across as if you don't care, how do you expect these people to respond to you when you need them the most?
Taking a few minutes to get to talk to others isn't as hard as it seems. Simply saying, "Hello, how are you doing?" to others you work with and listening to the responses can really mean a lot to the person you are conversing with. It's not everyday that someone within your management team will say hello and get to know the people who work alongside you or at other parts of the company so saying hello and taking time to know the person you are talking to can make a difference.
Being a lifelong hockey fan, one of the best examples I can provide is what NHL Legend and Hall of Famer Mark Messier (pronounced Mess-EE-ay) did when he was a member of the New York Rangers. Messier knew he could just walk into the practice rink or Madison Square Garden on a nightly basis and not really talk to anyone but his teammates. He simply could have walked in, did what he had to do, and walked out at the end of the day but he didn't.
While serving as team captain, Messier took time everyday to say hello to those who worked in the Rangers front office, Madison Square Garden and many others as he walked into and out of the arena. Messier understood that taking time out of his day to ask others how their days were going showed he cared. These people felt more comfortable around Messier and found it easier to talk to this NHL Legend because he took the time to know them as people and showed he cared. As a result, Messier is still considered to be on of the most beloved New York Ranger and NHL players of all time because off his willingness to learn about others and show he cared.
Taking time out of your day to know others isn't that difficult and it will show others you work with that you care. Sparing just a few minutes of your day to check in on how another worker or person is doing can make a difference and build a relationship with that person. You can practice by asking the people working in your local coffee shop, favorite restaurant or other gathering places how their days are going and you will be surprised how meaningful it is to them that you are taking time to get to know them. Once you do that, take time at work to do the same and you will start to see a difference.
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