Letter From the Owner
Relationship Building

Bill Lee - CEO of Scott Rice Office Interiors, LLC

The quality of relationship that we have with our friends, colleagues and business partners is dependent upon our approach.  Relationships are developed over time and serve different purposes but great relationships all have the same qualities.  Good relationships are first based on trust as a result of open and honest communications.  There is usually something to be gained by both parties in a good relationship and it can be as simple as just enjoying each other's company. 

What if you want to develop a relationship with someone new or a better relationship with someone you already know?  First and foremost you need to start your approach by eliminating any negative judgments about the person and accept full responsibility for developing the relationship.  This means you must accept that person for whom they are, expecting nothing in return.  You have to accept the fact that you are in charge of what you say, do and how you listen.  Once you come to this awareness you will be more successful at developing a good/working relationship.  We make judgments on assumptions - often our assumptions are wrong and therefore we make a bad decision.  "Assumptions are the termites of relationships." (a quote by Henry Winkler)

Anthony Robbins wrote that, "Some of the biggest challenges in relationships come from the fact that most people enter a relationship in order to get something.  In reality, the only way a relationship will last is if you see your relationship as a place that you go to give, and not place you go to take."  This means you communicate what value you bring and expect nothing in return.

Al Ritter writes that, "It requires that you and I treat other people with dignity and respect even when we think they don't deserve it, and even when people around us say they don't deserve it."  Words like "commitment" and "accountability" are words that define your efforts.  Be a good listener.  Shakespeare wrote, "Give every man thy ear but few thy voice."  An appropriate response is dependent on intent listening.

If you follow and practice the concepts above you will find that you can develop meaningful relationships most of the time with most individuals. 

Finally, there will be a few situations where the person you are dealing with turns out to be dishonest, is lying or committing a crime - this is a relationship you want to avoid.

Sincerely,