Guest Post | ShipBuilding … To Last A Lifetime

This week on the blog we have Krista Moore from K.Coaching Inc. discussing shipbuilding. Our relationships with those we come into contact with in our businesses are important – whether those are relationships are with business partners, customers, or employees. And as Krista points out, it’s not just having these relationships that’s important. But they require continuous nurturing. Being intentional with building “ships” – partnerships and relationships is key. Read more below!

We would like to think that our relationships with our business partners, customers and employees can make the difference between a successful business and one that is not growing.

It is not just because you have these relationships that your business will prosper, but that you continuously nurture them. If you intentionally, deliberately and proactively work on building your “ships”—partnerships and relationships—you will have sustainable growth.

Just like ships that sail the sea, your “ships” need to be solid and purposeful. Let’s explore what that really means, and discover how you can build your ships to last a lifetime.

Partnerships.

Understand the other person. 

What are their needs and their circumstances? Ask questions, listen and discover what is happening in their business, not just what is new and important with yours. Truly understand the other’s wants and needs and dig deep to discover the need behind the need. Just because a customer has been with you for a long time, does not necessarily make it a loyal partnership.  Once you have a mutual understanding of each other’s wants and needs you can determine the common goals and begin working toward achieving them together.

Reciprocity – this is an important word. A partnership should not be one-sided.

If sometimes you feel like the other person is not holding up their end of the bargain, and that you are always giving and they are taking; then there is no reciprocity. A partnership should not feel unfair. Often reciprocity begins with good communications of each other expectations and how you are feeling about your position in the partnership.

Execute with care, trust, and integrity.

A partnership often contains an agreement where both parties are working together to execute, implement or accomplish something. Working together with care, trust and integrity is the foundation and the key to a successful partnership.

Exceed the other’s expectations.

Sometimes in a partnership you might feel like “I have given it all I got!” Both parties need to always try and exceed what is expected so that no one gets complacent or taken for granted. Remember, the number one reason customers leave is because they feel undervalued or ignored. How well are you exceeding expectations?

Relationships.

Know your role and your purpose.

Whether you are a father, grandparent, mom, boss or employee, you play a role and should be very clear on what that role is and you purpose in the relationship. As a business owner or sales manager, your role is to create and share your vision, build a business plan and get results through others. Your employees are looking to you to be the “fearless leader.” Are you playing that role?

What value do you bring?

Ask yourself, “what value do I bring to this relationship and what areas do I need to work on?” If you do not bring value to the other person, then they may lose respect for you and emotionally disconnect in the relationship. Often, this results in a breakup or an employee leaving the company.

Empathy and an emotional connection.

Empathy is to recognize, perceive, and directly feel the emotion of another person. This isn’t easy for most. We recommend strengthening empathy; you begin to think with your head, heart, and gut. This will enable you to look at a situation in a different light, put yourself in their shoes, and begin to have more of an emotional connection with the other person.

Constantly work on it!

Like any successful marriage, it takes constant attention and work. I see relationships fail often between managers and their employees because there is a lack of accountability or expectations aren’t clear. Building relationships is constant work and you can’t leave well enough alone.

Take a moment and consider one or two very important relationships and/or partnerships. How can you use some of the concepts of shipbuilding to make your SHIPS better, stronger, and more meaningful? What can you do different to build your ships so they are purposeful, solid, and strong enough to last a lifetime?

About the Author

Krista Moore is highly recognized as an inspirational speaker and results-oriented Executive Coach. In 2003 she founded K.Coaching, Inc., after 20 years of Sales Leadership positions. Krista combines her real life business experiences, certified business coaching, and motivational style to help others achieve outstanding success in their lives and in their careers.

In 2016, Krista land her team launched the IDGrowth Sales Vault™, an online business building learning management system, utilized by thousands of sales professionals, to enhance their sales strategies, training, and leadership development.

Krista is a sought after Motivational Speaker, Author, Certified Business Coach, and host of The Krista Moore Talk Show. You can find her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Categorised in: Guest Blogs, Thoughtful Thursdays