The key to business success today goes beyond developing technical proficiency in your field. The key is relationship building through partnering.
Most people have already reaped the benefits of strong partnering relationships with external contacts such as clients and vendors. Have you capitalized on the Power of Partnering with internal customers and peers? We rely on other people for information, resources, goods, and services. It is the individuals with effective collaboration skills that achieve high levels of success. Do you have the skills to create strong partnership relationships? Check how many of the following partnering skills you regularly demonstrate:
- Approachability: Do you make your partner feel welcome when exchanging ideas? Are you open to consider the alternative ideas of your partner? An effective partner is easy to meet and deal with.
- Listening Skills: Your partner may just want a sounding board for their ideas and issues. Try active listening skills such as attentive body language, nodding, empathic statements, summarizing, and asking clarifying questions…don’t offer advice unless asked.
- Offer a Fresh Perspective: Partner’s from different functional areas can offer an alternative perspective on situations. Diversity of experience and technical knowledge can create innovative solutions.
- Keep Your Commitments: Do you always do what you say you will do? Your partner has to trust that when you make a commitment you’ll keep it. Try to establish realistic deadlines before committing.
- Adapt to Their Style: The best way to build relationships is to adapt to the style needs of your partner. Think about these alternatives and respond accordingly: Detailed oriented vs. “big picture”, Relationship focused vs. Task, Works at a fast Paced vs. moderate pace, Reserved or outgoing
- Take Initiative to Share Ideas: See an article that relates to your partner’s challenges? Notice they don’t receive a report that contains critical information for their department? Take the initiative to provide ideas and information of benefit to your partner.
Why not identify potential business partners in your organization and go test drive your partnering skills today? Feel free to forward this article to others.