The quote above speaks volumes to us over at TAG. Like so many of you, our business is built on meaningful relationships. Being able to grow relationships is an incredible talent and is so important to fostering professional success.
Yet, when most people go about this, the number one mistake I see is where a person jumps right in with the expectation that they’re going to “get” something from the other person. Imagine all the times when you’ve been introduced to someone: Do you go into a conversation with expectations? Maybe you struggle to connect with the other person, and you feel like you’re not getting anywhere.
If any of these apply to you, then it might be time to reassess your efforts. Here’s why giving is better than receiving:
Being able to deliver a great experience for someone is the best thing you can give.
When building any relationship, it’s never about what you can get from someone. It’s not even about what you think the other person needs.
Building a solid relationship is about creating an impactful experience for the other person. Every time you engage with someone, think about your interaction from their perspective. When you take this approach, the other person becomes more comfortable with you, they feel appreciated, they’re receptive to you and they become more responsive.
If you can give the other person a valuable experience, then you’ve committed the single most important feat: You’ve genuinely served another person without any expectation. And since experiences are unique, this is quite a difficult thing to master.
Try it out:
The next time you meet someone new, try to see the interaction through their eyes. Get a reading for how they think. Ask them questions. Be genuine and real in your interaction. It’s not easy, but you can start this ASAP.
Exercise: Pick one relationship you’d really like to foster. Take some time and figure out what makes them tick. Then give them something of value – it’s up to you to figure out what that is. Maybe it’s an email introduction between them and another person that can positively change the course of their business. Or, maybe it’s giving someone an hour of your time to serve as a mentor.
The more we give to people in a valuable and unique way, the more we can create a meaningful network of relationships which is beneficial for everyone.
Happy Holidays!
TAGS