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9 Things You Need To Be Doing In Order To Improve Your Relationships And Increase Your Results

4/24/2018

Kim Peterson Stone, CEO CommonSenseHealth.org

Human beings are naturally social creatures and we tend to like to do business and associate with people we know, like and trust.

trust noun

reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
confident expectation of something; hope.
confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.

This is the foundation of every good relationship. When you trust your team and colleagues, you can be open and honest when sharing your viewpoint and have confidence in the actions you take.

When you build trust with prospective clients you are perceived as a trusted connection. You form a bond that benefits both parties over the months, years and decades you are connected.

Therefore, it stands to reason that if we try to improve our standing as a person who is known, liked and trusted we are setting ourselves up for a more enjoyable and productive business as well as personal life.

When we seek to first build strong and trusted relationships, we eliminate the time and energy spent overcoming the problems associated with negativity and drama, and, instead, focus on mutually beneficial opportunities.

If your boss doesn't trust you, it's unlikely that he or she will consider you when a new position opens up … or keep you on board long term.

If your clients don’t like how you make them feel when communicating an offer they will likely not buy.

If your team does not feel appreciated or respected, It’s unlikely that you will have their buy-in when the going gets tough.

So, what can you do to up your KLT (know, like and trust) factor?

Here are 9 ways you can work towards developing those important relationships which will help you build trust and cooperation.

Add value: Be prepared to offer – a solution, a fresh perspective, an article or video you believe they would have an interest in or a connection. Think, “How can I be of benefit to this person.”

Listen: Pay attention when someone is speaking, whether it’s in person, on a call or Zoom etc. Really listen to what the other person is saying. No multitasking! No simultaneously sending emails, checking your phone, etc. The gift of your undivided attention is invaluable when attempting to build trust.

Ask questions: Make sure that you are really understanding what the person is trying to get across. Not just what you think they are meaning. Take time to clarify by asking questions. Summarize. Reflect back. “So, what I am understanding you to say is that …”

Be Mindful: Take full responsibility for your words and actions. Think before you speak (especially if you are agitated or angry).

Welcome Diversity: When colleagues, clients, family or friends offer opinions that differ from yours, don’t jump to conclusions or judge. Take the time to listen and consider their point of view. Consider the context and think about what’s being said. You may just learn something new.

Always be improving how you communicate: The better and more effectively you communicate, the more fulfilling your relationships will be. Whether it’s in person, text, email, video conferencing, etc. Seek feedback. Are there are any modifications you can make to your communication methods or style? Ask. How can I make things easier for you? Would you prefer a text or phone call? People appreciate the fact that you are considering their needs and wants.

Use social media to discover mutual and individual interests: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram etc. are great resources to learn a little more about someone as well as the organizations they represent. Not in a creepy, stalker-like way, but to get a feel for what type of person they are. Do they have kids? Like to hike? Like the beach? It’s nice to find similar interests and common ground before meeting someone for the first time.

Be genuine: People can tell when you are being insincere, so don’t be. Don’t be fake. Do be honest and transparent. If you make a mistake or don’t know the answer, admit it. People will grow to know like and trust you when they know you will do what you say and walk your talk.

Be patient: Relationships aren’t built overnight – they take time to nurture and grow. You need to be prepared to put in the necessary time to grow strong relationships with your peers, team, network, and clients. Keep in touch. Follow their company on social media and congratulate them on their accomplishments. You get back what you put in. Be consistent and strive to be known as a problem solver in order to earn trust and respect in those ever so valuable relationships.

Take the time and make the effort. As technology advances, the value of the Know Like and Trust Factor will be even more important than in years past.

As humans, we crave connection. Be one of those connected people who bring real value and genuine caring … as that never goes out of style.

Kim Peterson Stone is the Founder and CEO of CommonSenseHealth.org. Since 2009, CSH has been helping clients to establish an online presence and grow their businesses and increase sales using social media and online marketing.

Kim has built a network of over 195,000 highly engaged subscribers and fans, for herself and hundreds of thousands more for clients.

She speaks, consults and trains on Inspired Leadership and How to Build Quality Business Relationships and Acquire New Clients Through LinkedIn and Social Media.

To inquire about booking Kim for consulting or appear at your next conference or event, please click here and to learn more about how you can improve your presence online, increase customer acquisition and build your brand, click here.

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