I heard a speaker recently who was talking about how to maintain strong relationships. As I listened to his basic principle, I realized that it is true in all of our life situations, be it work, family etc. And let's face it, relationships are what make the world go 'round. So strong healthy relationships will make your work more enjoyable, and prosperous, and will make your family and friend relationships better as well.
What was the principle? The speaker said that each point of connection is like an anchor in the relationship, and the more connections you have, the stronger the relationship will be. He calls one-connection relationships "Simplex," and multi-connection relationships, "Multiplex." The strongest relationships are multiplex.
There is also the idea that some connections are stronger than others and so you want as many connections as possible and you want those connections to be as strong as they can be as well. Confused? Let's put some legs on this. We'll take a business situation and we'll take a family situation to illustrate the principle.
Anchoring work relationships. Let's say you sell insurance. A guy walks in and says, "I would like to purchase some term life insurance." You have a simplex relationship. The connection is that you both want him to have insurance. As you get to know him better and get information from him, you realize that you have a multiplex relationship growing and the chance that your business relationship will grow is improving.
"You grew up in Iowa? Me too!"
"You like to golf? Me too!"
"Your wife and you like to go to the opera? So do we! We should go together sometime."
The multiple connections are anchoring your relationship.
Anchoring a family relationship. Let's take a marriage in trouble. Chances are that at one time, the relationship was multiplex. Because of time, work, and other stresses, the marriage has deteriorated to the point where both are thinking, "What did I marry this person for?" Or "Why do I stay?" The chances are that now the relationship is simplex. Maybe it is that the one connection is that they want to do right by the kids and so they "Tough it out." What is the answer? I believe that it is regaining a multiplex relationship. Work hard to make those other anchoring connections. Did you used to play tennis together before the kids came along? Go play tennis together on a regular basis. Do you both have a common interest in a specific cause or charity, but time hasn't allowed you to pursue it? Take the time! It will anchor your relationship again!
I think you get the point. Take some time to think about your current relationships. Are they as multiplex as they can be or as they used to be? Think about the new relationships you will make in the coming weeks or months. Think of ways you can make them strong by finding multiple connections, securing deeper and more fulfilling relationships.
Make your relationships "multiplex" and you make them strong, with an anchor that will not let them go!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://chris-widener.inspiresyou.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
rental limo Lake Geneva .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareOnce considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
Here are two to-the-point questions recently posed by several association... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More
As the practice of public relations in China continues to... Read More
There's good news for public relations execs, marketing professionals and... Read More
Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More
You bet! And in three ways vital to you as... Read More
One study found that as many as 90% of the... Read More
Photographs are essential for getting good publicity in the print... Read More
Today's issue of Lean Marketing Champions features tips on doing... Read More
And show it for what it is - a humdinger... Read More
"Advertising is what you pay for. Publicity is what you... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
"We are in the communications business, the business of conveying... Read More
Unlike some professionals like lawyers and doctors, financial planners aren't... Read More
Publicity is an important and often overlooked tool of creative... Read More
Whether you are a business, non-profit or association manager, your... Read More
Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More
What a shame! Potentially productive public relations people resting on... Read More
Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More
That's like asking if advertising is all about type faces... Read More
I don't know about you but I get really frustrated... Read More
When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More
Lincolnshire wedding limousine ..Business, non-profit or association managers hurt their own public relations... Read More
A press kit is an essential press relations tool. While... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
I say public relations can be a matter of survival... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you'll know it's... Read More
What do you do with junk mail? Are you like... Read More
Everything, that is, if you ignore those folks whose behaviors... Read More
You're trying to recruit a downline into your program, you've... Read More
Would you like to be the next Dr. Phil, Suze... Read More
Recently, I told a friend (who's a business owner) that... Read More
A wise friend of mine has often said, "There is... Read More
A term you'll hear in newsrooms, in editing meetings, in... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
Radio is a powerful publicity tool. Most stations offer news... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
In larger cities with many outlets they are competing for... Read More
Many of our clients are in service businesses, such as... Read More
What is the one thing that all of the best... Read More
Hundreds of thousands of News Releases are sent out all... Read More
A PR product or service launching is a perfect way... Read More
You never know when 60 Minutes will knock on your... Read More
Considering how fundamental they are to the publicist's trade,it's always... Read More
Personnel mentions in the newspaper and product plugs on radio... Read More
How to write a press release that generates free publicity... Read More
Public Relations |