I’m working with a client who is the CEO of a 2,000+ employee organization on helping him, his senior leadership team and his board become more customer / member-centric (central theme of the newly released Return on Impact book).  They’re in the hospitality industry and as I travel with this CEO and observe his behavior, it’s clear one of the fundamental assets which has made him very successful over the years. Read the rest of this entry »

When I hear someone say they’re too busy, you know what that means?  That it’s not important enough.  Think about it – we make time for things that are important.  Most people I know are taking off some time during the upcoming holidays to appreciate their time with loved ones.  We make time to return calls to some people but not others.  We make time to meet with some people but not others.  We make time to respond to emails by some people not others.  Most of our day is about choices.  I would submit, it’s also about the relationships we choose to invest in. Read the rest of this entry »

“Hi David – It’s good to hear from you and of the completion of your latest book.  After checking with my bosses I’m going to have to decline your request.  They don’t want me, or anyone else in the firm, endorsing others products including books. Best wishes on the release.”

That’s an email that you don’t expect to receive.  As many of you know, I’ve been working on the release of my 4th commercial book, Return on Impact – Leadership Strategies for the Age of Connected Relationships (ASAE, 2012).  As it’s customary, I’ve reached out to a dozen or so current and past clients with key insights about the book and have asked them for endorsements / testimonials of our work together.  Here are just two kind ones: Read the rest of this entry »

Did you know that most people make up their first impression of someone in the first 7-10 seconds of interacting with them?  The amazing aspect is that the other person doesn’t even have to say anything!  It has a great deal to do with how they look, how they carry themselves, and the context of the interaction – whether they were on time, who they were with, how they arrived, etc.

More importantly, once an initial interaction has been established, sociologists tell us that we give a little, they take, they judge, they give a little, we take, we judge, and we give a little more back.  This exchange continues for some time and the more comfortable we feel in that interaction, the more we tend to get beyond a facade and share pertinent or particularly valuable information.  As such, most people cement their initial impression in the first 10 minutes of the interaction.  Most people have two opportunities from that initial interaction – they’ll either enhance their perceived credibility or dilute it.  In what they say, what they do, how they behave, the value-add they bring to the table, and the caliber of the questions they ask! Read the rest of this entry »

Relationship Economics Tip of the Week – as shared in RENetworks - our private, intelligent social network, or within the Relationship Economics Group on LinkedIn.  Come join the conversation…

“You’re smart but you’re abrasive,” or “there was a definite discomfort with you,” or “your tone and language came across as condescending or dismissive” are all very difficult comments for anyone to hear.  After all, we’re social creatures – as much as we tell ourselves otherwise, we want to be liked, accepted, embraced, and appreciated.  That’s where professional maturity and the growing edge in each of us come out. Read the rest of this entry »

ASAE Annual Meeting Daily Now – 2011 Annual Meeting & Expo

Really enjoyed the roundtable discussion with the senior folks on Sun night (although I learned the lesson about the perceived “fairness” of giveaways; next time).  The session on “How Will You Lead Differently” was the first presentations of the research from the upcoming Return on Impact book (#ROIBook) – positive feedback from the attendees and strong intrigue in how to elevate social to a strategic conversation.  “What IF…” conversations were retweeted by several attendees.  Will post info on the forthcoming IMPACT community, webinar series, and the board executive briefings in the next few weeks.  Thanks to all who were in St. Louis and continue to support my work on strategic, connected relationships.

If you purchased the Relationship Economics Updated and Revised edition from the ASAE Bookstore, email me your contact info and I’ll send you my second book, ConnectAbility, for free. With my best, David