Protect the Relationship

In a team dynamic, it is almost impossible to avoid relational breakdowns. In good times spirits stay high, as flexibility and forgiveness are easy to come by. However under stress we can easily push pressure, blame and frustration towards those who serve alongside us.

Relationships on a team matter deeply, they are a foundation for success. When relationships fail or struggle it can feel almost impossible to accomplish anything meaningful with your team. That is why one of the most important things you can do on your team is Protect the Relationship.

Protecting the relationships around you means doing these 4 things when breakdowns happen between you and a teammate:

• Trust Their Intentions – If you look for drama around every corner you are likely to find it, but you are also likely the one creating it. Protect the relationships around you by assuming the best in people and trusting that their intentions are good. It is easy to vilify someone and assume they are attempting to cause problems, but most of the time the intentions of those around you are good.

• Assume it is Alignment – Over time each of us can subtly slide out of alignment. It happens behind the scenes and is an easy adjustment to correct.  Choose to assume that the issue comes from two people not being in sync. 

• Solve it With Them – You do not solve relational breakdowns in isolation. If there is an issue relationally, it must be solved relationally. Do not solve the problem for them – but walk with them through the process of addressing the problem. 

• Remember Everyone Wants to Win – It is amazing what happens when you consider a person’s end game. Everyone wants to be on a winning team, so solving relational breakdowns is a way of helping individuals and the team get closer to a win. People want to win, and fixing breakdowns is easier when you know that each of us want the same thing.