How can you prioritize relationship building amidst work demands?

1 Identify your key relationships

The first step is to identify who are the most important people for your work success and satisfaction. These could be your manager, your team members, your mentors, your customers, your suppliers, or anyone else who has a significant impact on your work outcomes and well-being. Make a list of these key relationships and rank them according to their priority level.

2 Schedule regular check-ins

The next step is to schedule regular check-ins with your key relationships. Check-ins are opportunities to communicate, update, align, and support each other on work-related and personal matters. They can be formal or informal, depending on the nature and context of the relationship. For example, you might have a weekly one-on-one meeting with your manager, a monthly catch-up call with your mentor, or a daily chat with your team member. The frequency and duration of the check-ins should be based on the needs and expectations of both parties.

3 Be present and attentive

The third step is to be present and attentive during your check-ins and interactions with your key relationships. This means that you should avoid distractions, listen actively, ask open-ended questions, show empathy, and provide feedback. Being present and attentive demonstrates that you value and respect the other person, and that you are genuinely interested in their thoughts, feelings, and opinions. It also helps you to understand their perspectives, needs, and challenges, and to identify opportunities to collaborate and help.

4 Follow up and follow through

The fourth step is to follow up and follow through on your check-ins and interactions with your key relationships. This means that you should keep your promises, deliver on your commitments, and update them on your progress and results. Following up and following through shows that you are reliable, accountable, and trustworthy, and that you care about the quality of your work and the impact of your actions. It also helps you to build trust, credibility, and rapport with your key relationships.

5 Celebrate and appreciate

The fifth step is to celebrate and appreciate your key relationships. This means that you should acknowledge their achievements, contributions, and strengths, and express gratitude for their support, feedback, and guidance. Celebrating and appreciating your key relationships shows that you recognize and value their role in your work success and satisfaction, and that you are happy for their growth and development. It also helps you to foster positive emotions, mutual respect, and goodwill with your key relationships.

6 Learn and improve

The sixth step is to learn and improve your relationship building skills. This means that you should seek feedback, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas for improvement. Learning and improving your relationship building skills shows that you are committed to enhancing your performance and potential, and that you are open to new ideas and perspectives. It also helps you to adapt to changing situations, overcome challenges, and seize opportunities with your key relationships.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?