LinkedIn, 2021
How is it that some people manage relationships with ease, whilst for some of us, we’re
not quite sure where to start? The chances are for those that naturally manage
relationships well; this is a strength that has been developed over time.
So what if managing relationships isn’t your forte? Should you just give up? Absolutely
Not! You can turn creating effective relationships into your strength with a bit of
practice and focus.
You are Unique
You have your own unique strengths when it comes to managing relationships. You have
your own style and way of communicating that’s individual to you. Learning to capitalize
on this will help you to play to your strengths in order to foster collaborative and
effective relationships.
Generally speaking, the more you can utilize your unique style, the more people will feel
like they’re making a genuine connection with you, which will help you to build trust,
and that’s a critical element in managing relationships.
Know Your Strengths
Playing to your strengths is about knowing where your strong points are and enhancing
those whilst also developing areas of your emotional intelligence at the same time. This
is an essential balance, and addressing this balance takes discipline and focus.
When it comes to managing relationships, what would you say your strong points are?
Common relationship management skills include communicating your message clearly
and effectively, the ability to really listen to what others are saying, making people feel
comfortable and understood, picking up on group dynamics quickly, having a talent for
making genuine and authentic connections.
Take some time to reflect on what your strengths are when it comes to managing
relationships. The beauty of playing to your strengths is that you already have these
natural talents, so using them won’t feel like hard work. If anything, it will feel like a
positive experience.
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Tips To Identify Your Strengths
If you need some pointers to help you reflect, consider answering these questions.
 How would you say others perceive you?
 What would you say are your key skills when it comes to interacting with others?
 Do you have the ability to read a room and really understand what someone else
is feeling?
 What could you develop in this area?
Once you have an idea of what your relationship strengths are, practice putting these
into action across different social situations. Test what works well and not so well for
you.
The best way to play to your strengths is to experiment and hone your skills until you’re
comfortable with displaying and using your signature strengths