Building Strong Relationships One Step at a Time
Small, consistent gestures can deepen your relationships and foster genuine connections.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” -Leo Buscaglia
Building strong, enduring relationships—whether in our personal lives or in business—isn’t about grand gestures, but rather the accumulation of small, thoughtful actions over time.
Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, didn’t just focus on coffee; he built his empire by nurturing relationships. He famously invested in employee benefits and training, treating his staff not just as employees but as partners. This commitment to incremental care and respect fostered a loyal workforce and a warm, welcoming culture that customers could feel, illustrating how small gestures can build a powerful community around a brand.
The strength of your relationships hinges not on the occasional grand gesture, but on the everyday actions that show you care. Each additional minute spent listening attentively to someone can make that person feel valued and understood, deepening the bond.
Action Step: Think of a relationship you wish to improve or strengthen. Identify one small, consistent action you can take daily or weekly to enhance this connection. It could be a brief check-in call, a thoughtful note, or a simple compliment. Commit to this action and observe the transformation in your relationship over time.
Just as a steady drip of water can eventually fill a bathtub, so too can regular, small acts of kindness fill a relationship with trust and warmth. By focusing on what you can give rather than what you can get, you can cultivate deeper, more meaningful connections.
Investing in relationships through consistent, thoughtful actions not only enriches your life but, also creates a network of support and mutual respect that can carry you through challenging times.
To learn more about the power of building strong relationships, be sure to check out our book of the week: “The Power of One More” by Ed Mylett.