Building a relationship takes a huge amount of time and effort no matter what part of your life. Girlfriend, wife, child, friend are all difficult enough to manage.
Work relationships are also a challenge. NO, not the Demi Moore “Disclosure” kind of issues… The productive work relationship, especially from a Planner.
In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, you move up from Physiological through love eventually to self actualization.
Planning relationships go from:
KNOW : I know that person. Email relationship or phone call.
LIKE: yeah, she always gives me reports and important data.
UNDERSTAND: I see your perspective and know why you think I need to markdown, or order less. But I may not AGREE or execute.
TRUST: I believe you. I will cut receipts and it won’t effect sales.
When you reach the level of trust, the partnership can flourish. Until then, it’s generally one sided.
How do we get there? That’s another article entirely.
To be continued…
-THAT Planning Guy