Improve Your Professional Results Through Better Working Relationships

Just in time for the New Year, yesterday I posted the first of my seven suggestions for improving your professional results.

Today is suggestion #2.

Commit to better working relationships.

While we are typically hired for, or select our work based on, our technical competence, more often our success is defined by our interpersonal skills. Make the commitment to improving your working relationships. A quick reflection on your strengths and weak spots in his area will reveal where you need to start.

Here are five suggestions to consider as you build your plan:

1. Listen more (really listen).
2. Learn more about the other person's background, skills and experience.
3. Learn their goals, and find ways to help them reach them.
4. Trust more fully and willingly.
5. Be encouraging.

Improving your working relationships doesn't mean finding a best friend at work (although there's nothing wrong with that), but it does mean building relationships that create greater communication, connection and support.

This is more than just "feel good" stuff. You will get more assistance, feedback, and the information you need when you have stronger relationships with those you work with. Time invested in building these relationships will pay long term dividends both professionally and personally.

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