Relationships Emotional Capitalists

In this video, we'll be talking about the emotional skill of building relationships. In over 40 years of psychology, one finding is absolutely Our relationships with other people matter more than just about anything else in the world. So establishing high quality relationships with people around you will enable you to bounce back from setbacks faster, to achieve more, to feel happier and experience a greater sense of meaning and purpose. They're also the vehicle through which you get things done. In business, people are your greatest asset. Accordingly, relationship skills are one of the most important skills to master to really achieve the sorts of outcomes you're looking to achieve in business. You see, relationships work best when people are treated as equals. It's the same for all of us. None of us likes to feel inferior or subordinate. So when you meet another person, look for what it is you have in common with them. Avoid the mistake of allowing your relationships to be only tasks or focused around transactions. Relationships are built on shared experiences and shared differences. Emphasizing similarities is the key. Treating people as equals. So by nature we find it easier to relate to people who are similar to us. So our challenge is that to look for what we have in common with other people. Effective interpersonal connections happen when you focus on commonalities rather than differences. The second thing to realize about relationship skills is that people are in relationships for what they can get out of it. That's the reason we're in a relationship. And the clearer you can be about understanding what people are getting out of being in relationship with you, the better that relationship will work. So your challenge is to create wins for other people wherever you can. Look for how you can provide value and focus on what it is they're trying to achieve as well. So this mutual interest creates trust in a relationship. Look at taking a trusting approach. Remember that wins don't always need to be spectacular. Sometimes people just need to feel valued or encouraged. But approaching people with the attitude of look, I get on with this person, I'm on good terms with this person, is the key to gaining and maintaining partnerships. Think of people as having a stake in the success of the relationship, a stakeholder in one way or another. If you take all the initiative in a relationship, it becomes imbalanced. A more balanced relationship involves creating the space for other people to contribute to that relationship. It enables them to build some control and power in the relationship and involves then mutuality. So empowering others is not simply a matter of delegating responsibilities and giving tasks to other people. It's creating a space for them to contribute in shaping response to decisions and tasks. People need the latitude to make a contribution. So building relationship skills is one of the most valuable investments you can make in creating the necessary assets you need to lead successfully and grow your business.