Originally this post was called “Relationship Building // Key to Leadership” and then I realized that was way too limited. But, I love leadership, following it, helping others become great leaders, etc., and that just tends to be my filter. What I wanted to share with you, however, goes further than leadership. It’s just some good advice from a book I’m reading right now that I believe will help as we develop relationships in every area of life.

I was reading last night in a book and the author listed 7 “B’s” of relationship building. They are:

Be Real.

Be interested (not just interesting).

Be a better listener.

Be empathetic.

Be honest.

Be helpful

Be prompt.

What I love most is that all of these are outward focused. They turn our attention toward the other rather than ourself. That advice sounds pretty basic, but so often we move away from the basic prinicple of “its not about you,” and we become quick to accuse, quick to think of ourselves as right and superior and we begin to destroy relationships rather than build them up. And these are small things that should take little effort. I’ll leave you with two quotes from the author about two of the above areas and let you process them as you need.

Be helpful. Little things make a big difference. Lots of small things cumulatively make a huge difference.

Be prompt. Time is the one thing that many people have far less of than money. Helping them save time by being prompt and efficient is a gift of great value.

*Quotes come from the “The Fred Factor” by Mark Sanborn.