Coach Bob here, and today I’d like to talk about creating not just relationships, but GREAT relationships.
I used to think I had hundreds of friends. And maybe I did. But I did not have twenty great relationships. You know, the kinds of relationships where you can be totally open, honest, and accountable? Those.
As I learned and grew, I realized that I didn’t have time for a hundred relationships. Instead, I thought, “What are those precious few, and how do I make them great?”
As I mentioned, a few traits of a great relationship are openness, honesty, and accountability.
Openness: This means that you can suspend disbelief, recognize that you don’t know it all, and not judge. Ultimately, as Dr. William Isaacs says, “Dialogue is the art of learning together.” So, be open to possibilities, learning, and even disagreement within a safe space. That’ll help you (and your loved ones) get things out of your head and off your heart while knowing you won’t be judged for it.
Honesty: This is a tough one. It’s ultimately giving permission for honesty with kindness. (We have rules of engagement for this in iMatter that we can share with you later.) It’s being clear about expectations and generous with kind feedback on both sides.
Accountability: This is about walking the talk. If I say I’m going to do something and I don’t, that’s not respect. That’s not creating a great relationship. So, finish what you start and do what you say. Be pure with your commitments and be accountable for those things.
It’s up to you how you choose to show up. If someone is giving you feedback or an emotion that makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re in control of how you respond.
Two final thoughts:
In business, I want to work with those I love. Those are the people that I have great relationships with; and we are rooted in openness, honesty, and accountability.
Personally, as my family has been spending more time together at home, we’ve been forced to show our warts and expose our emotions because we’ve had to slow down.
So, who better to learn from than our family?
I’ve gone through decades of learning in the last couple of months, and that’s where my kids, my wife, and I are open, honest, and accountable with each other. We are learning together.
It’s been uncomfortable, and yet I now have a greater relationship with my kids and wife than I’ve ever had with anyone.
It’s been a great couple of months in a lot of ways (and not in other ways) and this time has helped me to understand what makes a great relationship – in business and in life – and how to keep growing them in order to live a great f*ing life.
So, get out there and cultivate GREAT relationships.
ARE YOU A VISIONARY THAT IS READY TO GROW & EXPAND?
The core of what we do at iMatter is help you shift your mindset, realize what matters most, get clear on who you are, and learn how to truly live your North Star. We offer community, a safe space, and inspiration for Visionaries that are craving exponential growth and driven to expand their lives.
No matter where you are in the world, iMatter will help you gain clarity, be fulfilled, and feel connected to help you make a huge impact within yourself, your family, and your community. And by the way, as you step into your greatness you will have a ton of fun along the way…
