How Invested Are You?
There’s a saying that if you need help identifying what your priorities are, just look at your bank statement. The same holds true with relationships, if you think about it. An investment in a relationship is an ongoing process, and those relationships where we are more vested tend to be stronger, more successful. This is in both personal and professional arenas.
So what if we were to regard our relationships like we do our bank accounts? Could we recognize how healthy our relationship accounts are? I think so.
Let’s consider the number of “deposits” we make in a given relationship. Time spent listening, getting to know each other and understanding where the other is coming from are deposits that help build a strong foundation for a steady relationship. On the contrary, how often we make deposits and the size of withdrawals – or times when words or actions cause damage – can greatly influence the success of a relationship too.
Regardless, one thing is certain when it comes to relationships: deposits better outweigh the withdrawals if a relationship is to weather an unexpected surprise or stressful situation. Wouldn’t it be nice to get an automated notice that a relationship account is running low on funds? Instead, we must make certain to communicate the needs and expectations necessary to protect the mutual investment we have in relationships we share.
As a communications professional, it’s important to take stock of our relationships on a regular basis and do what’s necessary to build resilient relationships. Whether we are interfacing with a client, the media, a client’s customer/consumer, or a vendor, time spent nurturing relationships pays the dividends.
