Contrary to popular belief, being a leader and
building relationships truly has nothing to do with popularity. What I
mean by this, is when someone is popular it usually means he/she has
done very little to achieve this status. It could be that they are
popular because of the family they came from--their background or last
name, maybe they become popular because they are beautiful according to
societies standards... what I like to call being born into the world of Aphrodite. That's
one of the deadliest traps to fall into because it doesn't really
become about who are as a person, but instead about HOW YOU LOOK and
the kind of fantasy you fulfill in other peoples minds. Some of these
popular STARS include, Merilyn Monroe, Audrie Hepburn, Brittany
Spears--are huge examples of this. Their talent is mediocre but people
just love looking at them and want to look like them. That's not what
creates lasting relationships with others. It doesn't take any brains
or know-how to achieve this level of influence--really all it takes is
a little plastic surgery and hair bleach. I know, I am being a little
harsh. Lets get to the point, shall we.
A true leader means that
you are successfully able to build healthy relationships with others.
The way to create a strong bond with your ideal business partners is to
first create a report with the person, second is to be REAL--(this is
why it's not about popularity, being popular doesn't require that you
be real); and lastly keeping open the lines of communication.
1. In order to build lasting relationships, the first step is in Creating Report: If
you desire to have any lasting effect on a person I believe it is
essential to find things that you have in common, something that helps
you and your prospective business partner or client feel that you can
relate to them, understand their distress or frustration or whatever it
may be. This is where it is important to be a person of integrity.
Gandhi, Tich Nhat Hanh, Martin Luther King Jr, to name a few where
leaders of utmost integrity. They taught from their own example and
this is what made them such incredible leaders!
2. If you want to have lasting relationships with your business partners or customers you must learn to BE REAL:
This is one of the hardest things for people to understand but I
believe it is the MOST important of the three. Being real simply means
you know who you are and BE that person. Not everyone knows who they
are. Ms. Norma Jean (Marilyn Monroe) didn't know who she was. Which
is why she got used up and spit out as early as the age of 36. She was
a male-fantasy, a creation that advertisers knew would sell! When
people looked at her even with all her natural beauty all they say was
their own distorted image/fantasy. She wasn't Real to the
public. Princess Diana definitely tried to change that image of
herself. And she succeeded to a degree but it was already too late,
she would continue to be hounded by the paparazzi because people were
obsessed. So, being REAL means you don't sell your soul to the highest
bidder, it also means you don't try to PLEASE others by being what you
think they want. Pleasing others is the 'kiss of death' if you ask
me. You please and you die--figuratively speaking.
3. And lastly, Keep the lines of communication open!
This means that once your customer purchases a product from you or you
bring on board another business partner, you don't just cut off all
communication with them. Have a way for them to get in touch with you,
either via phone or email or both! Include them on team calls,
masterminding sessions while at the same time knowing you are in charge
of your business and expect them to do take responsibility for
themselves as well. Keep the relationship open by asking for their
feedback. This is what I know creates real, lasting relationships with
others.
till next time,
