On Leadership: Better relationships lead to better results

Better relationships drive better results. Solid relationships with other people foster cooperation and trust which are essential for leaders to accomplish objectives. Better relationships also lead to enhanced morale and loyalty which contribute to employee retention in today’s competitive work environment.

Here are three essential attributes to supercharge your relationships.

Trust is the major element in relationships. To be trusted you need to be trustworthy. Earn trust by keeping confidences, rising above workplace gossip, admitting when you are wrong and being reliable by doing what you say you will do.

Show your appreciation when someone helps you or does something well. Everyone from your boss to peers to your employees wants to feel that their work is valued. People will feel closer to you by having been noticed and thanked for their specific contributions.

People with good relationships tend to accept the different styles, opinions and ideas of others. Even when they disagree, they are respectful and try to see things from the other person’s point of view. By accepting others, you can avoid conflict and it is likely that they will accept you and your ideas, too.

Pam Solberg-Tapper, president of Coach for Success Inc., is a Duluth-based executive coach, professional speaker and adventure marathoner. For questions or to submit questions or ideas for future columns, contact her at  pam@coachforsuccess.com  or 218-729-0772.