11 Oct Building Coalitions and Alliances Proactively and Intentionally
As an introvert, I didn’t know why going out, networking, and building relations was so hard until I realized the reason behind it. Later, I also learned that people who prefer extroversion do these things without sweating. They’re outgoing, and it is within their comfort zone.
Fast-forward to now. Many don’t believe me immediately when I confess my preference for introversion. Who blames them?
They assume that I was born this way as they communicate, connect, and interact with me. They mistake me for an extrovert…
When I recognized how much the way I was wired affected me, even sabotaged me on multiple fronts, I took some immediate steps to go out of my comfort zone and develop some traits of people who have a preference for extroversion.
In the short video clip I recorded recently, I shared three things I wished I had known long ago.
One of them was building relationships proactively and intentionally before I needed them.
Whether we are introverts or extroverts, one of the competencies we need to succeed in the 21st century is excelling at building coalitions and alliances with people with whom we share COMMON:
- Cause,
- Vision,
- Goals and/or
- Values…
One person is too:
- Insignificant,
- Insufficient, and
- Small to have a meaningful impact.
One’s success is highly dependent on one’s ability to build STRONG relationships.
Sadly, partnerships can’t be ‘cooked’ in a microwave and within a short period of time.
Strong relationships require a high dose of trust. Unfortunately, TRUST can’t be generated overnight.
In his book “The Speed of Trust,” Steven Covey Jr. discovered that things are done faster and cheaper when trust is high. However, things are done slower and more expensively when there is a lack of trust.
- What kind of partnerships do you need to succeed at work and in the marketplace?
- What have you done so far to build coalitions and alliances?
- What will your schedule look like, for example, in the next three months? Does it reflect that you have taken building coalitions and partnerships seriously?
To learn the other two things I wished I had known a long time ago, check this 3 minutes video and let me know what you’re doing today to grow and become relevant in the future:
If you’re also interested to read more about the other two themes:
1. Going ahead of the curve 3 – 5 years: https://drazhabtewold.com/going-ahead-of-the-curve-to-grow-compete-and-stay-relevant-in-the-future/
2. Becoming a high performer, going the extra mile, and overdelivering: https://drazhabtewold.com/becoming-high-performer-going-the-extra-mile-and-overdelivering/