Take a look at the businesses that have massive success and strong company cultures like Zappos, Google and Moose Jaw Mountaineering. The key underneath the culture is relationships. Their internal company relationships, the bonds that tie the employees together, are so powerful they have crossed the boundary into the customer portal and become a part of the brand.
Building strong internal relationships starts with authenticity. When a company empowers people to be their true selves and embraces their strengths, it fosters trust and clarity. People want to spend time with, work for and even take criticism from authentic people. Relationships built on authenticity give you much more freedom than you could ever have trapped in the frustrating game of trying to be someone you are not.
Authenticity breeds loyalty, the kind of commitment that says, “When you need me, I’ll be there. If you want the truth, I’ll tell it to you. If I say I’ll do something, I’ll do it.” In the early stages of building any company, or when you know you are in a tight spot, knowing you can rely on your team and trust that they have your back can be the key to achieving success.
Here’s a quick test:
1. Can you clear issues effectively? Are employees able to bring forth an issue with safety and can team members listen without judgment and work through issues expeditiously?
2. Listen to the way conversations are framed. We should all shoot for minimal use of the word “I.” Healthy relationships are about the “we” and consider the other party.
3. Create surveys or check ins to get strong honest internal and external feedback. Have procedures in place so you can act when you see a trend.
4. Is there trust? Trust is the glue that holds any team together.
I believe the more you focus on relationship quality, the better the long term financials will look and the stronger and clearer the culture will be.
Great relationships = sustainable success!
