When relationships at work don’t work, everything feels harder.
Progress slows. Stress rises. And no matter how skilled or experienced you are, it’s easy to feel stuck or sidelined—especially when dealing with a boss who won’t listen, a colleague who undermines you, or a stakeholder who drags their feet.
In these situations, many professionals make the same mistake: they focus on managing the task—and forget to manage the relationship.
Here’s the truth: relationships are fuel for progress. The stronger the connection, the more influence you have—and the easier it becomes to get things done.
But too often, we rely on formal authority, logic, or performance alone, hoping others will simply do what’s expected. And when they don’t? We push harder, explain more clearly, or quietly stew in frustration.
What’s missing? Read More