Multiple workplace changes have occurred over the past few years, with some making it more difficult for leaders to build and strengthen their relationship with their team.

Without strong relationships with and/or between members of the team, leaders will never fully realize what they’re capable of achieving.

Think about this: Weak or poor relationships may get you to where you want to go, but they won’t get you to where you could go. More simply said, a dysfunctional team with relationship conflicts might meet your goals. However, a highly functional team with solid relationships can exceed your goals.

Leadership Tip

Evaluate your internal relationships and then take the necessary steps to build or strengthen them.

To do this, start by asking yourself these questions:

• Which team member(s) do I have the best working relationship with? What makes those relationships so rewarding?
• Which team member(s) do I have good working relationships with, but I know they could be better? What three actions can I take to make them better?
• Which team member(s) do I have the worst working relationship with? What three actions can I take to make them better?

Challenge others within your organization to go through the same process. Why? Because strong internal relationships are key to building and strengthening your external relationships.

To further stimulate your thinking, consider these words of wisdom from three inspirational leaders:

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford”

“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller

“None of us is as smart as all of us.” – Ken Blanchard

If you have significant barriers or relationship challenges to overcome, get some professional help. If you don’t improve them, you and your organization won’t get to achieve all you possibly can.