Conversation Starters that Strengthen Relationships
Successful leaders strengthen relationships between others. They also know how to strengthen relationships with others.
AI generated image.
Why smart leaders strengthen relationships:
Thin relationships make everything slower, harder, and less fulfilling. Strong relationships…
- Boost creativity.
- Enhance collaboration.
- Increase productivity.
- Smooth conflict resolution.
- Elevate employee satisfaction.
Everything’s better when people take care of each other.
The #1 commitment that strengthens relationships:
Commit to advantage others if you hope to deliver results through relationships.
Personal conversation starters:
#1. “I remember you’re into (name a hobby). How’s that going?” Sentences with “I remember” strengthen relationships.
#2. “How does this project impact your area?”
#3. “What challenges are you facing right now?”
#4. “I notice you’re energized when you …. What makes that energizing to you?” Sentences with “I notice” let people know you’re interested in them. Unless you’re always noticing bad things.
#5. “What’s something you love about your job?”
Team conversation starters:
Skillful leaders provide opportunities for people to strengthen relationships with each other.
Invite people to respond to one of the following questions during a team meeting.
#1. “When I see you at your best, I see you….”
Mention someone in the room and ask two or three team members to complete the above sentence with that person in mind. (Don’t force people to participate for everyone.)
#2. “You can count on me for….”
Ask each person on the call to finish the above statement.
#3. “I’m most energized when….”
Focus on work related activities one time, another time focus on non-work-related activities. Turn this question into team interaction. “You seem most energized when…”
Tip: No ad-libbing.
Say the exact words in the sentence. No embellishments. If you have time, after they complete the sentence provide opportunity to expand, but keep conversations moving.
Dull conversations weaken relationships.
What can leaders do to strengthen relationships with others? Between others?
Still currious:
Conversation Starters that Enable Conflict Resolution
5 Energizing Conversation Starters for One-on-Ones
Building Relationship Skills at Work: 4 Relationship Skills You Need | CCL
Conversation starters to build and strengthen relationships…
1. How do you feel when…
2. What’s one thing you’d like to see changes in the ___________process?
3. What motives you?
4. What would you do in this situation?
5. What holds you back or is your biggest frustration?
6. Have you ever experienced self-doubt? What do you do in those situations?
Thanks, Paul. I don’t know why, but #5 appeals most to me. “What holds you back?”
Thank you for these! Another great resource for conversation starters is here: https://blog.trainerswarehouse.com/the-perfect-icebreaker-questions-for-training
“Commit to advantage others if you hope to deliver results through relationships.”
– this is true, so true for marriages, the workplace, churches, legislatures. I wish more people would realize this. So much more can get accomplished if one is not concerned about who gets credit. My spouse is not my competitor. In a church or workplace, we’re on the same team! AND this is true in the political realm although so many partisans don’t realize it. Thanks, Dan!
Thanks for jumping in Peter. It’s easy to look at others as a threat. One step beyond making yourself look good is making yourself look good at the expense of others.