Relationships aka Saviors

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I met up with my buddy, Dr. Charles Shinaver, last week. Our conversation didn’t start on the path that it ended up on (does it ever?), but did indeed shift to the state of the economy and small business owners. However, as depressing as it was listening to him share with me the lastest ‘gossip’ on the economy (I call it gossip because I believe there is some control if we choose to take it), we both had similar conclusions in the end: Relationships (internal) will be the saving grace to many companies (big and small), if they so choose to cultivate them, rather than be ruled by initial monetary gain of cutting, cutting, cutting away.

Okay, so that being said, let me clarify a bit. I wrote a blog a couple of weeks ago concerning management. There were some mixed responses, but I feel overall, in order to be a good leader, you shouldn’t have to be a jerk and you shouldn’t have to keep a distance. Good leaders (I feel) are ones who are respected by those who work for them. Ultimately, the goals should be the same. I mean, if you think about it, you spend more time with the people you work with than perhaps anyone else in your life. Who wants to spend that time with people who truly have a hand in making life miserable? (Granted, no one can “make” you feel a certain way, blah, blah, blah, but for the sake of keeping it real, it happens-agree?)

Back to the Shinaver conversation…he was discussing a big corporation who just had some lay offs, people were getting nasty, things weren’t looking so great, relationships were deteriorating….along with the company. Looking at it from a psychological perspective, it totally makes sense and you see the slippery slop. (yes, I said slop, not slope). If you think about it though, at the end of the day, when things happen, such as ‘recessions’ and times that aren’t so great, people need support and need each other. Why would you not want to be the best you can with others, especially the ones who work with you?

I’m no expert, I don’t have a huge corporation to manage, but I do LOVE building relationships and helping others be successful at what they do, personally and professionally. So, my thought for the day to all you Smoosiers, put forth an effort today to connect with everyone you come across, even if it’s just eye contact and a smile. It may just make someone’s day, and I’m pretty sure it will help yours as well.

Cheers.