Relationships are key to our happiness, health and Wealth
We are communal beings and as such relationships are critical to our success. Many people reference the famous Harvard Study to illustrate the importance of relationships in our lives as being central to our health, wealth and happiness. We are all familiar with the expression, ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’. Is the ability to build and maintain relationships the most important skill in business and in life? Is it a skill that you can develop and improve or something you are just born with?
Many things changes, some don’t
In today’s world, it seems like everything is changing so fast. New companies pop up, seemingly out of nowhere, and dominate the market. Old companies that once seemed so powerful can suddenly become irrelevant. The way that we work and interact has changed and evolved so much through new technology. One thing that doesn’t change so quickly is the technology of the human body and mind. We are able to adapt to new environments, situations and technologies, but the hardware that makes us human doesn’t change so quickly. Being able to connect with and relate to others is still the most important skill in business and in life.
Building relationships in business
Marketing and sales are the lifeblood of any business but what are they really? Marketing and sales is really all about finding new people who are interested in your product or service and building a relationship with them. Customer service is really about managing and repairing the relationships with your customers. Hiring new employees is about finding and developing new relationships with people who can fill critical roles in your business. Managing employees is about developing those relationships and helping your employees to grow in their roles.
‘How to Win Friends & Influence People’
You may be familiar with the classic book by Dale Carnegie. I highly recommend it. There was a time when I had a more cynical view. I thought networking and important relationships was more of a barrier to success than a pathway to success. Judging the book by its title, I thought it was about how to use techniques to manipulate people. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
There is definitely a skill and technique that can be taught to ‘Win Friends and Influence People’, but without sincerity and good intentions, you won’t get far in life. Carnegie makes a point using dogs. Why do people like dogs so much? Because dogs like us! They get excited to see us and let us know by wagging their tale. If you want people to like you, you’ve got to like them. Everyone has something unique and likeable about them. Take the time to get to know them and learn about them and tell them what it is you like about them with honesty, sincerity and vulnerability.
Building relationships in the digital age
Does building relationships really matter in the digital economy when everything is automated and there is limited face to face interaction? In short, YES! Relationships still matter, maybe now more than ever. If you think about a time that was pre-internet, even pre TV and radio, there was still mass communication through books and periodicals. Writers were able to build relationships with millions of people through their written words. Now, obviously, this is a one to many type of relationship, but it’s similar to how influencers operate today, only the technology has changed.
Other Resources
One of the best things you can do is to find an online community to be a part of. Look for one that is focused on what you are interested in and actively participate with the group. If you are reading this, I am assuming that you are interested in Business and Personal Development. If that is the case, check out the Entre Nation. The group created by Jeff Lerner is dedicated to helping people have awesome lives and create online businesses. You can learn more from the video below.
