Did you let any business relationships slide in 2020 as in-person meetings and events shifted to Zoom and business lunches came to a stand-still?

You wouldn’t be alone if so, but now is the time to proactively improve how you work with the people around you because your team, your colleagues, and your clients are your greatest assets.

Left untended, professional relationships can wither on the vine if you’re not careful. And eventually, you’ll regret not working to maintain or even strengthen the bond.

Beyond the value of the individual relationship, it’s important you step up your game when it comes to interacting with others professionally because you want to be thought of as someone who reliably lives up to your word, listens to feedback, follows through, and respects the limits and wishes of the people around you.

Whether you and a colleague have gotten into a bad habit, you’ve let a client or an employee walk all over you, or you’ve simply neglected a previously important professional relationship, you can take steps to improve your interactions so you get in a better habit in 2021 by following these 3 simple tips.

Create Boundaries

Any healthy relationship maintains boundaries and a business relationship is no different. However, that’s easier said than done when someone you work with is going through a tough time or a last minute emergency arises. And yet, those are exactly the times when boundaries are so essential.

Establish your boundaries up front – not in those difficult moments – and be open to the boundaries the other person has set for you as well.

For instance, what do you do when a client calls on Friday afternoon with an emergency they need you to fix? Set a policy beforehand and communicate to your clients clearly that you work Monday through Friday, 9 to 6, and after hours you’re spending time with family. Anything that comes up Friday late afternoon will have to wait for Monday morning.

However, you need to strike a balance between maintaining boundaries and remaining flexible and adapting to your clients’ needs. So every once in a while you could bend the boundaries and help a client but be careful that it doesn’t happen too often.

Follow Through

Oftentimes, relationships deteriorate because of seemingly minor issues that happen over and over again. Think about the behaviors that you don’t appreciate from others – canceling at the last minute, arriving late, or forgetting to check in after promising to do so.

Of course, things like that happen from time to time for all of us, but when you’re the one in error, it’s important that you apologize and express that you value the relationship enough to do better next time. Then show that you’re a reliable person with integrity by following through on that promise.

If it’s the other person in the relationship who continually fails to follow through, it’s best to address it head on with them in hopes that they will make a change. If they don’t, it’s time for you to determine whether they value your relationship as much as you do.

Remember, It Is Personal

You know the old expression, “It’s not personal. It’s business.” But the truth is, how you treat your business relationships is personal, both to you and to them. Think about how your actions affect their feelings and your relationship.

Don’t let negative feelings fester. Be proactive about resolving conflicts. Just like with your friendships, sincerely apologize when you do something wrong. And if they’ve hurt you, bring it up in an effort to improve your communication going forward, not to cause them to feel guilty or defensive.

“People are the core of every business. Businesses are based on relationships, and relationships are based on people.” –Marcus Lemonis

I challenge you today to do a bit of introspection and find one business relationship you can improve. Follow the tips I gave you and ensure that instead of letting that relationship fall by the wayside, you strengthen it in 2021.

Relationships are just one of the aspects of your business that you can evaluate with fresh eyes now that the new year is upon us. There has never been a better time to consider what you’re doing well, what you want to improve, and what specific, measurable goals you want to reach in 2021.

If you’re like most people, touching base regularly with an accountability partner is the best way to remain honestly and relentlessly focused on what it takes to build a legacy business. At Celeste Giordano Coaching, we hold entrepreneurs and sales professionals accountable to do the things they set out to do daily, monthly, and annually. That’s the key to making this the year you finally “double plus” your income.

Contact me today if you need an accountability partner who works to ensure your success.

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Celeste Giordano’s mission is to help business owners develop the skills, knowledge and attitude necessary to “DoublePlus^TM” their income and become effective and inspirational leaders in their fields. Whether it’s taking your successful business to the next level or starting a new venture, she will teach you the exact skills and strategies you need to enroll more quality prospects, build a rock-solid team, and break through obstacles to achieve real profit and lasting success. Celeste is a professional business growth specialist, a master sales strategist, and dynamic speaker with 40 years experience in direct sales and managing high-performing teams.

To learn more about Celeste, click here.

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At Celeste Giordano Coaching, I work with each client to implement the strategies they’ve been missing that will enable them to break through barriers preventing them from the success they know they are capable of. Contact me today to find your future clients who just don’t know what they’re missing.