What is one underrated yet vital trait for succeeding in today’s ever-changing and highly competitive business environment?
Currently, offering unique and appropriate products/services and a proven track record aren’t enough to attract and retain clients and top talent for your business.
You must also be someone who’s easy to work with.
This trait tends to attract more (and better) clients and help you build better workplace relationships within your team, especially if you’re working with remote professionals like virtual assistants.
So, how do you become easy to work with? Here are some actionable tips:
Practice Empathizing With Others
Empathy is one of the most important communication skills you should hone to become easier to work with.
It involves putting yourself in the shoes of others and seeing things from their perspective. Doing so helps you better understand their thoughts and feelings, so you can respond accordingly.
Empathizing doesn’t mean always agreeing with others, but finding common ground to find ways where everyone benefits.
Know Your Client and Team Members’ Names
Even something as simple as remembering your client and team members’ names will get you farther.
This simple yet powerful gesture adds a personal touch to your interactions, making them feel recognized and valued. It also shows professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to building positive relationships.
When your clients feel valued, they’re more likely to keep coming back. Likewise, your team will work harder when they feel acknowledged and appreciated.
Remain Open to Feedback
No one’s perfect. No matter how well you interact with your team or clients, sometimes you’ll rub someone the wrong way.
However, the difference between someone easy to work with and someone who isn’t is how they respond to criticism or friction.
While the latter becomes defensive and takes things personally, the former sees the situation as an opportunity for growth and improvement.
Actively seeking and acting on constructive criticism improves your ability to lead your team and by default, deliver quality customer service.
Be Dependable
Always follow through on the promises you make to your client. Being true to your word helps establish trust and confidence in your abilities.
Consistently delivering on your commitments also builds a positive reputation for your business and attracts new clients.
Be Honest
Honesty is the cornerstone of successful relationships. It fosters trust and transparency, keeps everyone on the same page, and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.
Additionally, striving for authenticity improves your business’s reputation and sets a good example for your subordinates.
Respond Quickly and Briefly
In today’s fast-paced business environment, responsiveness is a major advantage.
Delayed responses to your client’s messages shows unprofessionalism and a lack of respect for their time.
Instead, provide timely answers and resolutions to their queries and concerns so they’re not left hanging.
If you’re too busy to respond to all of them personally, get an admin assistant to help you out.
Keep an Open Mind
Confirmation bias is a common obstacle to forming thriving relationships with your team and clients.
This mindset makes it difficult to establish trust, undermines collaboration, and stifles creativity and innovation.
Thus, great leaders know that keeping an open mind is essential to forming lasting relationships with their teams and clients.
Being open to new ideas and experimentation fosters innovation, greatly improving your problem-solving skills as a group.
Stay Professional
Another common trait of a good leader and excellent team player is their ability to control their emotions and behave responsibly at all times.
Maintaining an image of professionalism helps you build a positive reputation and can help resolve workplace conflicts more quickly.
Let’s say you and a client disagree with something. Instead of letting your emotions get the better of you, which can damage your relationship, you remain calm and find common ground with them.
Not only will this help resolve the issue between you better, but it’s also make your client have a newfound respect for you.
Aside from these, conducting yourself properly begets respect and sets a good example for your team.
Practice Active Listening
Great leaders are active listeners.
Active listening involves going beyond simply hearing what the other person is saying and seeking to understand and process their meaning and intent.
This involves maintaining eye contact with the person you’re speaking to, giving neutral responses, and asking open-ended questions to keep the conversation going.
Be Generous With Praise
When you achieve certain milestones in your business, don’t forget to thank your team and clients for their support.
Doing this helps them feel valued and appreciated, strengthening their commitment to you in the future.
Ready to Get to Work?
Being easy to work can make or break your relationship with your team and clients.
Fortunately, by following the tips above, you’ll have an easier time accomplishing this. Good luck!
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John Carlo Pagsolingan is a carefree yet hardworking writer with aspirations of becoming a teacher in the future. He believes that remote working isn’t just a substitute; but is a legitimate alternative to face-to-face work. Learn more as he writes about the advantages of remote work and tips for aspiring remote workers.
