Ten relationship rules to bring to business

A little while ago, we got to thinking about how those relationship rules we all know to play nice by could work in business as well. Turns out, there’s more overlap between boardroom and bedroom than you might expect (steady!)

Here are ten relationship rules to bear in mind for both.

1. Don’t just talk, listen

‘You just don’t listen!!’

We’ve all been there. It’s as important to listen to your client as it is a significant other, especially if you’ve been together a while. You might think you know best, but you can’t know it all. Times change and with it people’s requirements, so listen up.

2. Don’t play hard to get

If they take a day to reply, you take three, right? Wrong. Playing hard to get is so 2005; communication has never been cooler. Nowadays, we’re all about letting them know what’s going on. Think of it like a long distance relationship; plan regular catch ups, keep them in the loop on how things are going and don’t leave it too long between face-to-face meetings.

3. Spice things up

Diversify and spice things up when they start to get stale. Come up with some new ideas and suggestions to reignite the fire that saw things work so well right back at the beginning. Familiarity breeds contempt so keep things fresh.

4. Keep the green-eyed monster at bay

As far as they’re concerned, they’re your one and only. Don’t name-drop other clients in conversation and give them your undivided attention when you’re together. That said, if their heads are the ones starting to turn, a treat em mean, keep em keen approach might just remind them that you’re in demand.

5. Be patient

Don’t forget that your client has their own worries weighing heavy on their shoulders. We’re not saying it’ll always be easy but try to be patient.

6. Don’t get complacent

Remember when you’d go all-out to impress? Cute little gifts, putting a little bit of effort in with your outfit, getting excited for meetings, you know what we’re talking about. Don’t let it drop and if it has, put the work in to get the fire going again.

7. Admit you’re wrong

Admitting you’re wrong is rubbish, but every now and again needs must if you’re to keep a relationship sweet. Swallow your pride, hold your hands in the air and admit you cocked up. They’ll respect you all the more for coming clean.

8. Fight for them

Relationships aren’t all plain sailing and you’ve gotta be prepared to put up a fight somewhere along the way, whether that means speaking up about something you don’t believe in or fighting to keep a client whose head has been turned by another.

9. R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Make like Aretha Franklin and show some R.E.S.P.E.C.T or they’ll soon head for the door. Don’t give them cause to doubt what you’re doing is in their best interests and never, ever trash talk them.

10. Never say ‘I told you so…’

And last but by no means in the slightest least, never ever say ‘I told you so’. Nothing gets a person riled quite like hearing these four little words. In business as in love, it’s a red rag to a bull. No good ever came from being smug, so suck it up and just don’t go there.