Relationship Capital by Dr. Amanda Wickramasinghe
As Melinda Gates once said, “deep human connection is ….the purpose and the result of a meaningful life—and it will inspire the most amazing acts of love, generosity, and humanity” Building relationships is a critical part of both our personal and professional lives. Deep meaningful connections not only help us grow as professionals, but they also serve as impactful moments in our lives. So that begs the question, why are relationships so meaningful?
1) Relationships can influence our day-to-day interactions
2) Relationships allow us as leaders to connect with other kindred spirits
3) Relationships help us form trusting bonds with others
4) Relationships can impact our professional growth, especially with mentors (support and guide us), sponsors (advocate for us), and peers.
5) Relationships help us connect beyond borders and boundaries and expand our global network and thinking. Expanding our global network is a critical skill for the global economy and work environments.
Developing long-lasting relationships is a necessary tool regardless of your position or industry. Research has indicated that women, in particular, need to understand the importance of building relationships (Diehl & Dzubinski, 2017). It is often noted that women leaders, “don’t proactively invest in relationship capital, the currency that all ambitious employees need to expend in order to advance beyond what talent and experience can alone secure” (Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin, and Sumberg, 2010, p.6). As leaders, we need to develop and foster relationships regardless of gender, roles, and industries. Take some proactive steps such as simple gestures, connecting over lunch, or an invitation to have coffee. These efforts can lead to identifying areas of interest and beginning the process of developing trust with another. By inviting someone to a common space, you are creating a possibility to connect emotionally and intellectually.
Another critical element of relationship building is having an open mind. Learn to listen actively to another perspective, find common ground, and spark new thinking. By doing so, you are investing in your relationship capital and developing meaningful connections. Furthermore, once you developed the relationship, it is important to continue to foster and nurture the relationship. To do so, you must prioritize the relationships that matter to you. Be sure to check in periodically, arrange a coffee session as time permits, especially nowadays, it is so simple to take some time to have virtual coffee. Be deliberate about learning from them, asking about their families, ambitions, goals, and of course, fun adventures. As leaders, we must take responsibility for and support our relationships (Carucci, 2020).
As a leader, I often encourage my peers, colleagues, students, and even mentors to create relationships with others from different cultures, ethnicities, and backgrounds. It will certainly open and broaden your mindset to a completely new outlook. Not only will these approaches help you as a leader cultivate relationships but also develop a relevant skillset for the global economy and global work dynamics. Have you thought about your meaningful relationships lately?
References
Carucci, R. (2020). Building a relationship with a senior leader you admire. Harvard Business Review
Diehl, A.B. & Dzubinski, L. (2017). An overview of gender-based relationship barriers. In S.R. Madsen (Ed), Handbook of research on gender and leadership. Northampton, A: Edward Elgar
Hewlett, S.A., Peraino, K., Sherbin, L., & Sumberg, K. (2010). The sponsor effect: breaking through the glass ceiling. Harvard Business Review.