Chenae Erkerd, J.D., RACR’s Post

This is one of the most effective relationship building strategies I’ve used in my career. I discovered it by necessity… I assumed my first significant #leadership role when I was 36 years old. I had no training or experience in #management. And I had no relevant contacts. Basically, I didn’t have a sweet clue what I was doing. (Arguably, that’s still the case.) But I knew that people wanted me to succeed. In the beginning, a new leader enjoys lots of goodwill, but it doesn’t always last, so best to capitalize on it right away. How? By asking for #advice. When you ask a person for advice, it lets them know that you value their knowledge, experience, and judgment. It makes them feel important and willing to help. So, I reached out to people who actually knew something about leadership and asked them for advice. I focused on those who had an affinity for my organization. Even if they didn’t know me, hopefully they’d want me to succeed and thus be inclined to give me a few minutes of their time. When asking people for advice, it’s important to be genuinely open to and interested in their perspective. If you’re asking for advice as a pretext to push a particular agenda or to get something out of the other person, then your overture won’t be nearly as effective and may even backfire. Of course, asking someone for advice doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll follow it. But as you gather input from different people, you’ll likely take at least something from many of them. Be sure to tell your advisors what you learned from them and how you’re acting on their advice. At the end of the process, you’ll have created a network of people who are invested in your success. Over time you’ll be able to tap into this network for different kinds of help. Sometimes the most relevant advice will come from people many levels down the organizational chart. By reaching out to them, you’ll not only gain important insight, but also show them they’re valued. Do this repeatedly and you’ll have a positive impact of your team’s morale. Asking for advice also makes you less isolated as a leader, which in turn makes the burdens of leadership easier to bear. It goes without saying that a leader can’t consult with everyone and sometimes needs to make decisions without consulting. This is a question of context and judgment. Asking for advice is such an obvious leadership strategy, but it always amazes me how often very smart people forget to do it. Leadership isn’t about being the smartest person or having all the answers. It’s about knowing how and when to engage with people. Asking for advice is a simple way to do that. Has asking for advice helped you in your career? Share in the comments.👇

Friends don't go dark on friends! And if people important to you are not returning your calls and emails, you or your perceived value proposition simply isn't a priority! Anytime I hear a leader say they're too busy, what they're really saying is that whatever they're neglecting isn't important enough. If our significant other says that we have to be at the kids' school next Tuesday at 3 PM for an important meeting, most of us will be there! As a student of business relationships, I've never cared for repeated calls, emails, or text messages with no replies. That's why I ask every client upfront not to chase them to return my outreach or to get paid. I also have a three (3) touch rule - if I can't engage or influence your thinking and call to action in three touches, the 8,472nd email isn't going to make a difference! Especially when I'm trying to help you. For those who care about their leadership brand, A) it's common courtesy - even if you're not available or interested, a simple "can't" or "no, thank you!" by you or a member of your team will suffice. B) you're going to need that relationship at some point, and most people have a long memory of how you treated them. C) the recipient has to realize that the world doesn't revolve around you, and others have significantly more important demands of their time, attention, and resources. Be patient and polite, and always assume good intent. But don't act desperate or inferior. And as a PSA, 1. Work more diligently to elevate your impact! If you've ever tried pushing a rope, you realize that market gravity/pull is significantly more rewarding! 2. Relationships go bad with misaligned expectations. Calibrate and recalibrate those mutual expectations early and often. 3. Sometimes, it may be the right relationship and the wrong/bad timing; say so and invite others to do the same. "I'm interested but lack the necessary bandwidth to give you the appropriate attention. Let's revisit this in October." 4. Professional, polished persistence is admirable. Being a pest is the line you never want to cross. 5. Don't belittle yourself, and have the courage to leave the table whenever respect is no longer served! When I become old(er) and crotchety(ier), I'll start naming names! 😂 #RelationshipsMatter #WeAllNeedRelationships #BusinessRelationships #RelationshipEconomics #GreatRelationships

The VALUE of Relationships  This past week I had a meeting with young man just starting his career and he asked me several questions regarding success. After a little while I asked him how he was doing with growing and developing his EQ. He said, “What does that mean?” I shared with him that it stood for emotional quotient otherwise, known as emotional intelligence. I shared with him that developing self-awareness, empathy, interpersonal skills and building relationships were key in his journey. And then I told him “every resource you will every need in life is found in your relationships”. Then he asked me to unpack that thought and so I did. Today I want to share with you what the phrase means because relationships are the currency of the future!   The connections and networks we build with others are vital for personal and professional growth. I want you to think about this concept in several ways:   Support and Guidance: Relationships provide emotional support, advice, and encouragement. Friends, family, mentors, and colleagues can offer insights and perspectives that you might not have considered.   Collaboration and Opportunities: Most opportunities in business and life arise from relationships. Collaborating with others can lead to new ideas, partnerships, and career advancements that you might not achieve alone.   Learning and Development: Relationships facilitate learning. Engaging with diverse people exposes you to different viewpoints and experiences, enriching your understanding and skills.   Emotional and Social Well-being: Healthy relationships contribute to your overall well-being, which is crucial for personal effectiveness. Emotional support can help you navigate challenges more effectively.   When you have a moment I want you to ponder on these two questions:    What steps are you currently taking to nurture and strengthen your most important relationships at home and at work?   How do you actively seek out new connections or opportunities to expand your network and deepen your relationships?     Today I want to remind you to continue to invest in both existing relationships and the pursuit of new ones, fostering a mindset focused on growth and development. After all we were not put on this earth to be alone but to connect with one another. To many people are comparing and competing but CONNECTING! #relationships #growth Curtis Chastain MD Pete Bush, CFP® Peter Burke Matt Toledo Robert Shreve Steve Mellor, PCC Jonathan Peyton Stuart Gilly John D'Angelo • Marielle Howard Dan Meyer Mitch Bettis Chris Meyer Henry Hays Christopher Tuff Jon Gordon Phil Nicaud Rhoman Hardy Nora Vaden Holmes Charlie Davis Kenny NguyenAdrian Owen Jones, CFRE Kenny Hodges

Relationship-building and your network is an area that needs some attention. Many people prioritize all kinds of things except for intentional time to just talk and build relationships stronger. "I'm too busy" "There isn't enough time" "We have deadlines" "My manager won't like it" "It's too self serving" "It feels awkward" "What difference will it make?" Make all the excuses you want, but 60-90 minutes a month to build relationships will not negatively impact your output at work. And if your leader disagrees, you need to be networking like a crazy person to find a new job - because you have a terrible leader. Prioritize relationship building. Your job won't last forever. TRUE relationships sure will.

The Value of Relationships: A Key to Growth and Success 🤝 I couldn’t agree more with this message. Relationships are truly the foundation of personal and professional growth. Whether it’s through collaboration, learning, or emotional support, the connections we build shape our success. What are you doing to nurture and strengthen your relationships? How are you expanding your network? Let’s focus on connecting! #RelationshipBuilding #EmotionalIntelligence #BusinessSuccess #Collaboration #GrowthMindset #EnergywiseSolutions

We all know that trust is a crucial element of successful relationships, yet often, at work, there will be a colleague you don’t trust. It might be because past experience has shown them to be unreliable and miss deadlines. It could be that you’ve seen them play politics and take credit for work that isn’t theirs to claim. It could be something else. Ingredients such as accountability, authenticity, consistency, integrity, and reliability are core to trust, and most people excel at some but not all of these ingredients. So, what do you do if you don’t trust someone at work? Ignore it, and hope it goes away. Or do you try to find a way to elevate the relationship? In this week's weekly insight, we explore ways to build trust with a colleague you don't trust 🤝 https://lnkd.in/gfyrDHZu What has worked for you? Share your ideas in the comments below. #leaders #trust #influence Find me on Linktree | https://lnkd.in/dKEbrHFs

Relationships at work can be tricky. Frustration and emotion can make it even more challenging to identify and follow through with the solution. This client was spending too much time hand-holding an employee who was prone to venting, long emotion-fueled emails, and gut reaction instant messages that made her feel better in the moment, but was weighing down her and my client. We identified specific strategies, ways to thoughtfully respond, to coach her to move beyond identifying problems to generating solutions. With my client constraining himself from stepping in and saving the day, he could instead express a vote of confidence in her and her ability to problem-solve and innovate. Rather than letting her vent at length in person, in email, in chat, and to a variety of her stakeholders... he showed her how to process the frustration and move forward. This increased her credibility and improved her morale. When we are in the moment, it can be tempting to resolve in the quickest or easiest way. Stepping out of the situation to reflect on the best strategy for the long-term is incredibly valuable. It multiplies your time. It makes every decision and action have a higher return. The impact is your satisfaction day-to-day in your work, your fulfillment, your performance as a leader and as a team, your success as a business, and your career development. Relationship mastery at work can take a village. Getting the right support allows you to navigate relationships with ease. Take one step forward for yourself today and schedule time with me here https://lnkd.in/e-89ickS Read on for more client wins and decide which you will claim for your own https://lnkd.in/eEdSfRbH #relationships #colleagues #stakeholders #management #win #victory #triumph #celebrate #relief #hope #solution #work #hardwork #career #careergoals #success #performance #professional #satisfaction #business #leadership #coaching

🌟 One Valuable Lesson from My Career: Relationships Are the Foundation of Everything 🌟 Throughout my professional journey, I’ve come to realize that relationships play a pivotal role in achieving success. Whether it’s collaborating with colleagues, networking with industry peers, or building rapport with customers, strong relationships are the bedrock upon which our careers thrive. Here’s why I wish I had understood this sooner: Collaboration and Teamwork: No matter how brilliant our individual ideas are, it’s through collaboration that we truly innovate. When we foster positive relationships with our team members, we create an environment where diverse perspectives merge, leading to breakthroughs. Networking Opens Doors: Networking isn’t just about collecting business cards; it’s about forging genuine connections. The person you meet at a conference today might become your mentor, your next employer, or even a lifelong friend. Invest time in building authentic relationships—it pays off. Customer Relationships Drive Success: Whether you’re in sales, consulting, or any other field, customers are at the heart of what we do. Understanding their needs, empathizing with their challenges, and building trust are essential. A strong customer relationship can lead to repeat business, referrals, and growth. Leadership and Influence: Leaders who prioritize relationships inspire loyalty and commitment. When we genuinely care about our team members, listen to their concerns, and support their growth, we become influential leaders who drive positive change. So, my advice to my younger self (and to all of you) is this: Invest in relationships. Take the time to connect, listen, and understand. Whether it’s a coffee chat, a virtual meetup, or a LinkedIn message, every interaction matters. Remember, success isn’t just about what you know—it’s also about who you know and how well you know them. Let’s build bridges, not walls, and watch our careers soar! 🚀 #CareerLessons #ProfessionalGrowth #Relationshipsmatter #networking #communitybuilding #communicationskills #collaboration #careeradvice

🌱 Nurturing Career-Boosting Relationships Ever feel swamped by the rapid pace at work? The key to thriving might just be in the connections you cultivate. Meaningful relationships with colleagues and clients can offer the support and energy needed to excel, even under pressure. Imagine it like a robust tree—its deep roots provide stability and room for growth. The same goes for building relationships in your career. Here’s how I guide clients to forge impactful relationships: 🔹 Cultivate Trust & Respect Be open with your thoughts and appreciate others' input. Trust is a mutual journey, earned by both parties. 🔹 Be Clear & Consistent in Communication Avoid letting misunderstandings build up. Regular check-ins and open communication keep everyone aligned and prevent conflicts. 🔹 Take Accountability Own your actions and correct mistakes promptly to build trust and credibility within your team. 🔹 Engage in True Teamwork Collaboration goes beyond working side by side. It involves active listening, thoughtful contributions, and flexibility. 🔹 Handle Conflict with Respect Address issues directly but with empathy. Constructive conflict management strengthens relationships rather than breaking them down. By focusing on these elements, you’ll build relationships that not only enhance your job satisfaction but also elevate your career. Remember, relationships are a long-term investment in your professional success—nurture them wisely. If this resonated, hit 👍, leave a comment 💬, and share it ♻️. Let’s stay connected! Follow me Ian Tenenbaum for more career insights and press the 🔔 to get updates. #CareerGrowth #EffectiveCollaboration #BuildingTrust #ClearCommunication #WorkRelationships #ProfessionalDevelopment