Relationships Matter

 

I have previously discussed the necessity for leaders to build strong and lasting relationships in order to be effective.  This was highlighted in my discussions of Brady and Woodward's Trilateral Leadership Ledger as the last factor that needs to be measured to determine effective leadership.  Relationships matter.  Leaders cannot be effective without them.

Captain Abrashoff made a profound observation in his book, as shown above.  Building an effective relationship is the responsibility of the leader.  I recently analyzed Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf's press conference that he gave after the Vikings relieved General Manager Rick Spielman and Head Coach Mike Zimmer of their duties.  In that press conference, Mr. Wilf repeatedly stated that the Vikings were looking for, among other things, strong leadership in their new General Manager.  Recently the Vikings announced the hiring of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the former Vice President of Football Operations for the Cleveland Browns.  In his introductory press conference, Mr. Adofo-Mensah was very quick to share that "... right after you guys let me go I'm going to start calling them [the Vikings players] and really learn about what makes them proud to be a Minnesota Viking."  Here we have two key points: 1) the new leader initiates the contact to begin building the rapport and relationship, and 2) learning from the people already in the organizatiuon about the culture and their thoughts on the organization.  Whether or not Mr. Adofo-Mensah is successful in achieving Mark Wilf's stated goal of bringing championships to the Minnesota Vikings remains to be seen, but, one can conclude that, based on his statements, he understands the need to immediately establish relationships to move the organization forward.  He seems to know that his success in grounded in the quality of the relationships that he is able to develop.

Far too many leaders confuse rapport and relationships with friendship.  How many times have you heard that it's not the leader's job to be a friend?  Perhaps not, but, it is essential that the leader be friendly and establish a strong professional relationship based on trust, respect, and, yes, even a professional friendship.

It is the leader's responsibility to take the first step in establishing a relationship.  Further, it is the leader's responsibility to nurture that relationship.  Establishing individual relationships builds an organization's culture of trust.  That trust is the fuel that will move the organization forward and ultimately contribute to the leader's success.