I am working with someone who I am having a difficult time influencing. I have worked with them for about six months now and we need to be partners on several fronts to help our joint organization grow.
I have tried many different tactics, open and frank communication, pointed questions, humor and even joint anger at a common entity to try and get to a trust level with this individual which I know is the key to a better working relationship. I don’t know if I am a threat or why the trust won’t come but it has not.
So, I have decided to take him golfing, I know he likes golfing. I like golfing because it will give us 4 hours or so to break the ice between us and evolve trust a little bit, I hope (I know Hope is Not a Strategy). I like authentic relationships where real business issue can be surfaced and dealt with. I hope the golf works.
If you have any suggestions on how to evolve trust in a critical relationship leave me a comment, I would appreciate it.
Hello Steve,
I find that when I work too hard on forcing an event to happen..well it just never does. Sometimes things must happen in their own way, in their own time.
I have had situations like this before, and I have chosen to walk away,when no matter what I do, I cannot build trust.There are certain people that I run into, and no matter how hard I try, I just don’t trust them. Maybe it is their voice, their clothing, their non-verbal cues, or something that I just cannot put my finger on. I am not suggesting of course that you are untrustworthy, just that some things are not in our control. I suggest forgetting golf, and moving on.
Joel Libava aka Franpro
Thanks Joel for your comments. I am not quite ready to give up on this relationship yet, this time investment will probably be the last effort and then I will move on. Yes I believe in listenting to my gut instincts as well and right now they say to give a further try.