Every Friday, Ellis Adams Group has an all-team meeting. Join that meeting and there’s a high chance you’ll hear me speak of driving relationships. Whether it’s building a relationship with a current client, or an initial meeting with a prospect, you’ll discover that relationships are key to everything we do.
For the next few weeks, I’d like us to consider driving relationships within the organization. Why and how a leader should drive relationships with the team and how the team should interact with each other. It’s going to be tough to have strong relationships with clients and vendors if we don’t treat each other well.
Use their name when speaking to them. Using someone’s name allows them to feel seen and reminds them they’re not just a number to you.
Never refer to them as “hey you” or “you in the blue shirt.” When that happens, you crush the spirit of the person who has agreed to pursue the vision you’ve shared.
You drive a relationship with your team when you use their name.
This one is often difficult in today’s virtual world with everyone meeting via Zoom or Teams.
Ellis Adams Group is a virtual company. The team is spread across the globe, literally. This is why I try to be on every all-team call. Since I can’t walk the halls and speak to everyone or have a quick chat over coffee in the break room, my presence on video is important.
When the leader is never seen, the relationship between the team and leader grows weaker.
Drive the relationship by being seen.
Gratitude helps build a strong relationship. The lack of expressed gratitude can lead to feelings that one is taken for granted.
Thank team members individually, and when you do, be specific. Mention the work they do and the attitude of excellence they bring to the team.
A generic thank you creates the idea that the leader doesn’t know what someone is doing.
Be specific and you’ll drive the relationship.
Be in the lives of your people.
Ask about their spouse or significant other. Know the names of their kids and be interested in their accomplishments. Be curious and ask if they’ve tried a new restaurant, seen a good movie, or read a good book.
Your people are more than the jobs they do.
Treat them as people and you’ll drive a relationship.
People remain loyal to a company when they’re cared about.
Know them, be seen by them, be specific with a thank you, and ask non-work questions. If you’ll take those simple steps, you’ll see loyalty and passion grow.
As leaders, we can’t just drive relationships outside of the organization. We must drive them within.
Never forget, the team is your most valuable asset. Treat them as such.
Creating Unparalleled Experiences,
Chris Adams
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