Healthy business relationships are at the core of good business. Building strong connections with coworkers, clients, and your team is essential to creating strong business relationships that bring creativity to the forefront. Unfortunately, this isn’t what always happens, and instead, you can be left wondering if you would be better off walking away from certain relationships to protect you and your company.
One of the most crucial things you can do to try and avoid a troubling business relationship is to reset your mindset when things first get tricky in new situations. If you feel that you are being treated unfairly or being taken advantage of, the best way to clarify the issue for all parties is to have an in-person conversation. If this is not possible, a phone conversation, but never through text or email. Sensitive subjects should never be addressed via these two forms of communication to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. You might also find that a conversation using the “sandwich” formula, where you always start with something positive, provide constructive feedback, and end with something positive, helps reinforce the commitment to building stronger communication between parties and ultimately strengthens relationships.
I believe that all success is achieved with people, through people, and for people, which means that human relationships are key. I remember reading that healthy relationships should be based on respect, values, trust, and gratitude when I was just a little girl. This advice has stuck with me for all these years, and I know that anything is possible if I can prioritize healthy relationships. Doors open, possibilities show up. While not always an option in certain situations, one of the most important things you can do to maintain healthy business relationships is to focus on gratitude first. This automatically breaks down any walls and allows an open flow of communication. I try to reinforce my appreciation for our clients, vendors, and alliances regularly.
Maybe you have already prioritized your business relationships, but others don’t seem to be making the same efforts. It is still essential to watch out for signs that you have entered a relationship that is no longer beneficial. If you start to feel that you or your team are being taken advantage of, it’s essential to look at the bigger picture and not ignore the signs you are being presented with.
Is gratitude no longer present?
Has respect been long forgotten?
This may be your sign that it’s time to start asking yourself why.
Once, my company JJR Marketing had the opportunity to work with a client paying us a significant amount as their outsourced marketing department. In working with him for an initial project, we realized that his core values, expectations, and treatment of our team were not aligned with our brand. We decided to no longer work with him, even if it meant letting go of that potential revenue. I needed to make sure that our energy was positive and matched with an equally positive client. I realized that all the money in the world is not enough when having a toxic relationship. Ultimately, I needed to protect my team’s energy and creativity by reinforcing the importance of positive client relationships.
Unfortunately, sometimes it is hard to have a “meeting of the minds” with individuals who do not share the same core values and do not align with our vision. Sometimes we are left with no other choice but to cut off communication and part ways. However, sometimes it is possible to reconnect down the road at different stages in our journeys, perhaps when all parties have reflected on what has happened in the past. At the end of the day, aim to build bridges, not burn them.
Remember to strive towards business relationships where gratitude and appreciation never get old. One in which you challenge each other to be better, with respect, constructive feedback, trust, and excitement.
Jacqueline Camacho-Ruiz is the CEO of JJR Marketing (www.jjrmarketing.com) and Fig Factor Media LLC international book publishing company (www.figfactormedia.com), founder of The Fig Factor Foundation (www.thefigfactor.org), creator of Today’s Inspired Latina book series and international movement (http://www.todayslatina.com), author of thirteen books (www.jackiecamacho.com), international speaker, and pilot. Jacqueline speaks to hundreds of audiences about marketing, servant leadership, finding your passion, and achieving success in business. She has addressed the United States Army, BP International, United Airlines, Allstate, and Farmers Insurance among other corporations to share her inspiration.
If you or an organization you know needs as speaker, please get in touch with us at https://www.jackiecamacho.com/contact.