The Quiet Power of Business Relationships

Relationships aren’t a side quest in business—they’re the main storyline. In this episode, we explore why meaningful connections are the true growth engine behind loyalty, opportunity, and fulfillment. Forget surface-level networking. We’re talking about how to build deep trust through habits like authenticity, consistency, empathy, and mutual benefit.

You’ll learn what actually works: active listening that makes people feel seen, thoughtful follow-ups that leave an impression (yes, including handwritten notes), and value-first generosity that opens doors—without keeping score. We’ll also unpack how to be a connector, how to use tech without losing the human touch, and how in-person moments can deepen trust quickly.

By the end, you’ll have a practical, human-centered playbook to grow your business through relationships that truly last. Keep notes on what matters to people, remember key dates, and show up with gratitude and presence. Because when you lead with connection, everything else gets easier.

Visit us at jenniferannjohnson.com and learn how Jennifer can help you build the life you dream of with her online academy, blog, one-on-one coaching, and a variety of other resources!

Chapters

• 1:13 Why Relationships Matter
• 1:53 Core Principles: Trust to Respect
• 4:18 Practical Habits That Build Trust
• 8:57 Nurture, Don’t Automate
• 9:53 Tech vs. In‑Person: What Works
• 10:33 Final Mindset and Next Steps

Transcript

Jennifer Johnson: 0:37

Today, we're diving into a topic that's at the heart of every thriving business: building strong relationships. In the world of business, your ability to form and nurture meaningful relationships can be the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving. Whether it's with clients, partners, colleagues, or mentors, strong relationships are the foundation of business success. So let's explore how you can master that art of building lasting business relationships. Before we dive into the how, let's quickly touch on the why, why business relationships are so crucial. Number one, trust and loyalty. Strong relationships build trust, which leads to customer loyalty and long-term partnerships. Then there's opportunities. Your network of relationships can open doors to new business opportunities. Support. You've often heard me talk about board of directors. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Strong relationships provide an invaluable support and resource to you as a business owner. And that goes hand in hand with knowledge sharing. Relationships facilitate the exchange of ideas and insights, which foster innovation and foster growth. And then personal fulfillment. Meaningful business relationships can lead to greater job satisfaction and personal growth. Now, let's dive into the core principles of how you build these strong relationships. Or honestly, really what those core principles are of how of building those strong relationships. So authenticity, being genuine in your interactions. People can sense when you're insecure from a mile away. It's the fastest way to really undermine any kind of relationship. Consistency. Always deliver on something that you promise and maintain that regular contact. Don't be the person that only shows up in someone's life when you need something. Mutual benefit. This goes hand in hand with what I just talked about. Strive for win-win. Because when both parties are happy in a relationship, that's when you both see all of the benefits. Empathy. Try to understand their perspective and their needs. It helps you connect on a deeper level and provide each other with real value. Patience. Building meaningful relationships take time. Don't expect that you're going to meet someone today and tomorrow they're going to be your best business BFF. It doesn't work that way. It takes time. And then respect. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of what their position is or what they can do for you. Just practice respect. So now you kind of understand the core of why they matter and the benefits, or not really the benefits, but the principles of building those relationships. Now let's talk about some practical ways that you can implement these to build and strengthen business relationships. First and foremost is active listening. Pay attention when people are speaking. Look them in the eye. Drop everything that you're doing. Turn off your phone and pay attention to that person. And you've probably heard me talk about the magic is in the follow-up, or you've heard somebody talk about it because a lot of people are talking about the magic is in the follow-up. After meetings or conversations, follow up. Send a thank you note. A thank you note in the mail. I love doing that because people don't expect that anymore. Now, of course, you can always send a text or you can send an email, but it's always very powerful to do that if you're actually sending them something in the mail. Provide value first. Look at ways that you can help them without expecting that they're going to give something back to you. Be responsive. Respond to the emails and the calls and messages as soon as you can. Even if you can't completely address what they're asking, at least just acknowledge it because that does go a long way. Celebrate their successes. Genuinely congratulate them on their achievements. Seeking feedback. Ask for honest feedback and allow them to ask you for honest feedback in something that they may be doing. Be a connector. I have so many people in my life that are connectors for me. They connect me with people that I otherwise would not have been connected with. And be that connector for other people. Show appreciation. Regularly express gratitude. Thank you. Thank you for doing this. Remembering personal details. Now, I know a lot of people think that this may be a thing of the past, and how is somebody going to remember it? But I am so impressed when somebody remembers something about me that's so personal, like a hobby or something about my family. It shows that I'm more than just a number to them. I matter. And then finally, being present. When you're with someone, give them their full your full attention. Like I talked about, put your phone downs and pay attention to them. Look them in the eye. Give them a handshake. Be there. Be present. Now, building the relationships, that's just the start. You have to nurture them. Nurture them by doing regular check-ins with them. You know, but personally make those calls. Make those, send those text messages. Don't have something automated. Hey, how are you doing? Because I know you can do this in certain things. There's certain um apps out there that allow you to automatically check in with people. No, do this. You physically do this. Remember important dates, like maybe it's their birthday or their work anniversary. Send them a message. I love to send cards. Like I said, I'd love to send the thank you cards. But you know, maybe in this case, send them a message. And then be adaptable. As people's needs and situations change, be willing to adapt and be willing to do what you need to do to be able to support them because that's really important. And how can you leverage? I kept a lot of people ask this question. Well, you know, but how can I use technology, you know, like social media or uh using Zoom or email or that kind of thing in building relationships? It's a part of it, but it shouldn't be the overarching theme of how you nurture your relationships. Yes, you can send that random email or you can have that random Zoom call. But when and if it's all possible, the in-person option is always going to for certain outweigh anything that you can do online. So as we wrap up, remember that building strong business relationships is not just a one-time event. It's an ongoing process. It requires constant effort, genuine care, and a long-term perspective. But the rewards in term of business in terms of business success is personal growth and professional fulfillment. And that is really immeasurable. Every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen a relationship. And I have this thing that I feel like no matter who it is I meet or whatever situation I'm involved in, there's always a lesson. So everybody you meet, you can learn a lesson from. So what I challenge you is to look at what you can do to approach your next business interaction with intentional, being intentional. How can you add value to the person that you're talking to? How can you listen more effectively? And how can you lay that foundation for a strong, lasting relationship?