1.5 - About University

H OW USE THIS LEADERSHIP TOOL“When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant and effective.”—Stephen Covey, THE SEVEN HABITS OFHIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLEStrategic relationships within an organization are like oil in a machine. They lubricate andfacilitate effort and decision making. They multiply your power, and your ability to get thingsdone, by creating the goodwill necessary for others to trust in your judgment.Having a positive balance in the relationship bank doesn’t guarantee that the other personwon’t get irritated or angry when you make a withdrawal. However, having a positive balancedoes mean that others are more likely to listen to what you have to say and give you the benefitof the doubt when things don’t go as planned.WEB WORKSHEETThis could be one of the most important tools in this book for leaders to understand and practice.Using the workspace provided here, take a few minutes to plan how you will maintain,and continuously develop, your strategic relationships within your workgroup and organization.Column 1:Column 2:Column 3:List your five most strategic working relationships within your workgroupand organization. [☛ 5.7 Stakeholder Groups, 9.10 Networking]Summarize why this relationship is important.Summarize what actions you can take to maintain a high level of trust andgoodwill with this person or group. [☛ 12.2 Trust]Person or Why this relationship is Actions needed to maintain your trustgroup strategic/important account with this person or group1.2.364 SECTION 12 TOOLS FOR LEADING RELATIONSHIPS