DRIVING RELATIONSHIPS TO BUILD A HEALTHY TEAM CULTURE

A healthy company culture doesn’t happen by accident — it’s cultivated through intentional relationships. In this piece, Chris Adams explores how leaders shape culture by caring for their team, creating personal connection, listening well, and supporting people beyond just the work itself. Using the metaphor of a thriving garden versus a neglected one, the article highlights the everyday leadership habits that strengthen teams and create environments where people can flourish.

We’re in a series on driving relationships within the organization. As we pursue clients and contracts, there’s a tendency to focus so much on prospects and customers that we overlook the people serving within the company. When that happens, the company becomes weaker, and our ability to serve clients with excellence becomes weaker as well.

If we want to take care of our clients, then we must learn to take care of our team. The relationships within are just as critical as the relationships without.

When I speak of building relationships among the team, some might call this building culture. As you care for others, you’ll discover that a culture begins to grow. You either create the culture you want, or one will develop over which you have no voice.

Consider a garden that is tended to daily. There are no weeds. The flowers and bushes are pruned, it’s watered often, and it’s given the fertilizer needed to flourish.

Now consider a flower bed that is ignored. There are weeds everywhere. You may see a flower here or there, but that’s likely the result of something planted years ago that somehow managed to survive and bloom through the mess.

That’s a picture of two very different cultures — and two very different approaches to leadership.

If you care for the team, you’ll work at it and give people what they need to grow and flourish. If you ignore the team, you’ll eventually have a mess with only a few people fighting for what’s good and right.

It’s up to the leader to drive the relationships that create a healthy team culture capable of fulfilling the mission.

There are some simple steps leaders can take to build stronger relationships and shape the culture they want.

Start Meetings with Personal Conversation

This is so easy to do, yet we often skip it because we move at such a fast pace. Ask two or three people to share what’s happening in their world. You’ll be amazed at how this shapes a team. People crave connection, and this helps fulfill that need.

As the leader, don’t be afraid to share snippets from your own life as well. When you do, you show the team that you trust them enough to share part of yourself with them.

Ask How You Can Help

This is another simple step that is often overlooked. Leaders get busy and develop the mindset that if people need something, they’ll ask. Most people won’t.

Many people don’t ask for directions when they’re lost. We keep things that are broken because we don’t want the hassle of returning them or finding someone to fix them. We avoid going to the doctor or dentist because we don’t want to appear weak or helpless.

The same thing happens in organizations.

People often carry frustrations, obstacles, or concerns quietly.

You drive relationships and build culture when you take a step toward people and ask how you can help. Ask if there’s a hurdle you can help remove or what’s keeping the company from being more successful.

Then listen carefully — and act.

That strengthens relationships.

Don’t Interrupt

This sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked. Leaders are wired to solve problems. When a team member begins explaining an issue, many leaders immediately interrupt with a solution. While the solution may be helpful, the team member often leaves feeling unheard and unseen.

Focus on listening first. Don’t interrupt. Be fully present for the person speaking. Stop trying to be the knight in shining armor who saves the day.

Sometimes people need to feel heard before they need a solution.

Talk about more than work. Ask how you can help. Listen without interrupting.

Do those things and you’ll be driving relationships within the company.

Creating Unparalleled Experiences,

CHRIS ADAMS

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