Relationship Management Basics Can Positively Impact Leadership and Team Success

"Do what you can to show you care about other people, and you will make our world a better place." - Rosalynn Carter

Effective leadership is built on a foundation of strong relationships. The Center for Creative Leadership has identified the inability to build and lead a team as a significant career derailer. Shockingly, their data reveals that nearly 60% of new managers say they never receive any training when transitioning into their first leadership role. Many team leaders are thrust into their positions because of their high performance as individual contributors. The good news is that core relationship management skills, such as communication, trust, and sharing time and resources with others, are at the heart of successful leadership stories. Prioritizing these life skills can bring immediate and long-term success to team leaders. In this blog post, we will explore how these three relationship management basics can positively impact leadership and team success across five crucial phases of the employee life cycle.

Hiring: During the hiring process, it's crucial to establish a foundation of trust and open communication. Start by providing candidates with a clear understanding of job and performance expectations, business needs, and details about the work environment. Remember that interviewees are assessing the opportunity just as much as you're assessing them, so share what they can expect through your process, including timelines and interactions. Invest your time and attention in candidates as a sign of respect to initiate this relationship from the start.

Onboarding:

Empower new hires by sharing business priorities and their role in achieving them. Communicate workflows and expectations from day one to empower new hires as they navigate through new processes and meet new colleagues. Use the initial days and weeks to establish connection by inviting them to lunch or a virtual coffee chat (go ahead, share your leadership quirks!), introducing them to team members, key partners, and clients, and setting up recurring touchpoints that demonstrate your long-term investment.

Project Work:

In the midst of regular business operations, clear communication is an investment in each team member’s and the team’s success. Communicate objectives, key milestones, and desired outcomes to ensure alignment across the team. Develop routines that promote working through others like information sharing, project progress, and quality work. Providing clear direction and being responsive to needs allows individuals to work independently or collaboratively with trust and no surprises.

Change Initiatives:

Change is a constant in any organization, and it can be uncomfortable for many. Effective leaders communicate changes clearly and help team members understand the goals and implications. Acknowledge diverse reactions to change, crafting a communication strategy that fosters trust. Prepare your team for anticipated changes and, when change is a surprise, bring the team together to acknowledge and address the challenges collectively.

Performance Feedback: Feedback is a powerful tool for growth and success. Create channels for delivering and receiving feedback openly and respectfully for celebrations and quick corrections. Provide feedback as a way to honor others' time, energy, and reputation, helping them see what's working well and what can be improved. When your feedback is delivered from a place of genuine care, it promotes trust by showing that your intentions are rooted in their development and the success of the business.

Conclusion: The ability to build and lead a team successfully is closely tied to relationship management skills. By prioritizing communication, trust, and the willingness to share time and resources with team members, leaders can create and maintain strong, sustainable teams. Investing in these skills not only benefits your career but also contributes to the success of your organization. So, remember to focus on these essential relationship management skills to thrive...they're important in all relationships, not just work!

I coach growth-minded professionals to lead well, get recognized, and thrive. As a coach, I offer perspective, accountability, feedback, encouragement, and additional possibilities. I'd love to chat with you about how I can accelerate your journey to leadership at the next level.

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