Balancing Relationships and Results | Dr. Will Ramey

Research Backed Approaches to Leadership and Team Dynamics with Dr. Will Ramey, The Leadership Dr.

Balancing Relationships and Results: Leaders need to get positive results without sacrificing relationships with your team. This can feel like walking a high wire without a net. We share numerous ways to finding that balance so you can achieve results and maintain strong relationships with your team.

Leadership is a People Business

We all know that leadership is a people business. We’ve heard great thought leaders like Simon Sinek share his perspective that when you focus on people, the numbers will come. That can be easier said than done for some in leadership positions.

My first job out of the military was with a Fortune 50 company working in their distribution channel. I thought I had this whole leadership thing all figured out. Know the objective goals, understand processes, motivate my team to smash those goals, and all is right in the world. TOO EASY! Soon, I had the top performing team in my department. My boss took me for a developmental walkaround, and he began asking me about my relationships with my team and my peers. I remember thinking to myself – what does that matter at all? Have you seen my numbers?! It wasn’t until a few years later that I truly grasped what he was trying to get me to understand.

Finding the Balance

Leadership is about balancing relationships and results. On one hand, a leader must be able to build strong relationships with team members in order to create a positive and productive work environment. On the other hand, a leader must also be able to deliver results by setting and achieving goals. If you favor relationships, you may avoid having difficult conversations. If you favor results, you may not be connected enough to get the best out of your team.

The key to balancing relationships and results is to understand that they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they are closely linked and dependent on one another. Strong relationships with team members can lead to better communication, increased trust and collaboration, and ultimately better results.

For a deeper dive into understanding how to balance relationships and results I recommend a book by my good friend and colleague Mark Stevens: The Square and the Triangle

Leadership Tips

Here are some ways to balance relationships and results when leading your team:

• Communicate effectively: Regularly communicate with team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Go see your team where they work and encourage team members to voice any concerns or issues.
• Show appreciation: Show appreciation for your team members’ hard work and contributions. Recognize and reward their achievements and provide constructive feedback on areas where they can improve.
• Build trust: Build trust by being reliable and consistent. Keep your promises and be transparent in your decision-making. Share the why behind decisions and seek out team members input when possible.
• Encourage teamwork: Encourage teamwork by fostering collaboration and cooperation among team members. Hold team-building activities and create opportunities for team members to work together to achieve common goals.

By following these tips, you can effectively balance relationships and results when leading your team. Remember that strong relationships lead to better results and a positive work environment, and that both are important for the success of your team and your organization.

Scale your content 10X Faster with Jasper, your AI writing assistant! Try Jasper for FREE – Click Here!

Let’s continue the conversation. Connect with me on LinkedIn Dr. William Ramey | LinkedIn

Check out my OnTheStacks Podcast episode here: 

If you find value and enjoy our content, smash that YouTube Subscribe button here: OnTheStacks YouTube Channel

Want to see more OnTheStacks Content?

Follow us everywhere on social media:

YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Twitter | TikTok | Website