Business relationships that build – and those that drain

Two situations for easier presentation

Let's put ourselves in 2 situations that, as an entrepreneurial mentor, I experience weekly, if not daily:

Situation 1: Meeting with an entrepreneur. He arrives on time, full of energy, ideas and drive. He looks for ways to realize his idea. In doing so, he clearly expresses his need for our help. He is interested in opinions, asks questions and is willing to hear uncomfortable answers. He leaves with the feeling that he has the next steps – and we with the feeling that our time was well spent.

Situation 2: also a meeting with an entrepreneur. He is late. There is no passion, energy, or desire on his part. He gives the impression that everything is difficult for him, that he sees only problems in everything. He expects us to wave a magic wand and solve all the problems. Disappointment is inevitable, he leaves dissatisfied. And we are exhausted.

Although both are business relationships, the difference in energy is obvious: one builds, the other empties. If someone recognizes themselves in the other's situation, this is by no means a condemnation, but a signal. Often, there are no bad intentions behind it, but stress, pressure, distress, burnout or simply a lack of experience in how to present the problem. All of this is human and understandable. The good news is that even minimal preparation can make a big difference - one step is to clearly state where we are and what is currently blocking us the most.

Mentoring is just an example. The same thing happens in all business relationships, whether it's between sellers and buyers, between business partners, or between colleagues.

What do we really expect from a business relationship?

Make no mistake – every mentor, salesperson, colleague… will probably do their best when they have an interlocutor on the other side who expects something. But collaboration will be significantly better and more productive when the interlocutor comes prepared: knows who they are, what they do, has roughly clear goals and can say what they expect. They are open to honest feedback – even the kind that is not always pleasant, but is necessary for progress. And when both parties are ready to accept their share of responsibility.

What can you do as an entrepreneur? Clearly present your goals and prepare questions – this is not only useful for the mentor, but for your own progress.

Relationships that fill

Let's be honest - there is no special science to recognizing such relationships. We simply feel them, because they make us full of energy and motivation. However, let's list some key characteristics by which we recognize them: sincerity and a realistic view of the situation, willingness to work and proactivity, respect for time and agreements, and (positive) curiosity and a desire to learn. There is a sense of purpose in building long-term relationships and accepting feedback, even if it is unpleasant.

So how do you build and nurture such relationships? The first step is to prepare for the meeting - write down three goals you want to achieve. After the meeting, write down the agreed tasks and actually carry them out.

Relationships that empty

On the other hand, there are relationships that drain us. They are characterized by unwillingness and unclear stories, hiding the truth or embellishing the situation, expecting benefits without putting in the effort, shifting responsibility to others, and not carrying out agreed-upon activities. Such relationships take time and energy and create a false sense of progress. A feeling of frustration arises because the effort is not rewarded.

When things are going in the direction of "everything is a problem", a quick structure helps: set a goal, gather key facts, highlight 1-2 main obstacles, and finally define a concrete step until next time.

Relationships need to be nurtured.

Every business relationship is a two-way street – energy is created by both parties. We all want relationships to build, not drain. The easiest way to achieve this goal is with preparation, honesty, and an active attitude. Because it is worth cultivating relationships that build, and recognizing and limiting those that drain. And this is not only true in mentoring, but in all business relationships.

We also want to build long-term relationships in MPIK, which operates within RRA Koroška. Therefore, we invite you to contact us to facilitate the realization of entrepreneurial ideas and help with the development of your company. If you want the meeting to be as concrete and useful as possible, the first step is to fill out the application for MPIK, which can be found at this link: https://tinyurl.com/ycxd4z4m . The answers help us understand the context so that we can prepare for the meeting and focus on solutions.