Relationships Matter

A few weeks ago, I was reflecting on how my career started over 25 and a half years ago. I remembered my coworkers and how much time we spent writing code, debugging programs, analyzing issues that arose, and helping each other figure out problems.

I also remembered the late nights and eating out as a team after a long day at work. It was a lot of fun and it created a bond of camaraderie. I enjoyed the recollections of how great it was to be part of a team.

To succeed in any profession, you must learn to work with others. It is easier said than done, though, because we all have different personalities and temperaments. We all have different motivations, goals and aspirations. When some folks come to work, they just do the work and are eager to get home. Some people come to work because they like what they do, while others come to work because they love what they do, thus it is not called work. The latter thrive in their jobs because they value their relationships and focus on establishing relationships in addition to getting things done.

What’s the best way to establish a relationship?

1. In any work relationship, focus on a common goal rather than just getting your stuff done first. John Maxwell’s quote comes to mind, “Believing in people before they have proved themselves is the key to motivating people to reach their potential.”
2. Never underestimate the capabilities of the other parties.
3. Do not jump to conclusions, and give people the benefit of the doubt
4. Offer to help when you can.
5. Exercise patience, don’t rush to conclusions, and (most importantly) be nice.
6. While you want to get your job done, a win-lose situation is not a good thing. At times, you need to strive for a win-win situation.

Success can be attained when you take into account the motivation and goals of all of the parties in any engagement. You must understand what motivates the people you’re working with. Focus on helping others because they will more likely help you get your job done. When you add value to others, they will also help you achieve your goals. The next time you need to collaborate with someone, think of how relationships matter. Focusing on fostering a good relationship can yield a better result in the long run.