Heidi Drecksler

Guest column by Heidi Drecksler about building quality professional relationships.

After a plethora of diverse experiences pertaining to my career, I have compiled some words of wisdom to help others along their path. Enjoy the following:

HEIDI’S PRACTICAL BUSINESS TIPS:

1) Do not deal with people who are opposed to leaving messages. I have learned this from experience. Ethical business professionals are perfectly comfortable sending detailed emails and voicemails. A person with nothing to hide will not be worried about having legal evidence of their communication with you. This seems obvious, but I’ve been shocked by those who claim to be substantial businesspeople and turn out to have skeletons in their closet when I question their unprofessional tendency of contacting me and not leaving a message. Most people have such busy lives and differing schedules, that texts, emails, and voicemails are a common & primary way of delivering important information. Anyone who is against leaving messages should be labeled with a Red Flag in your rolodex of associates.

2) Avoid those who bring prior experiences into their professional relationship with you. Recently I spoke to a businessman whose stress level was off the charts. He had never met me, nor done business with me, and yet decided it was acceptable to speak to me in a condescending, arrogant manner, interrupting me frequently. The person was riddled with baggage on every level. As a spiritual intuitive, I realized that nothing good would develop with this person, as he was communicating from a place of unresolved pain and self centeredness. As with any area of life (from friendships to major business deals) be sure the people in your circle have released their energetic and emotional blockages, so that your time with them will be as positive and productive as possible.

3) When dealing with other businesspeople, take account of their behavior and accomplishments. What is their reputation in the community? Do they generate large profits but leave an unpleasant impression at networking events? Check to see if their words and actions are aligned. Are there contradictions between what they report to you, and what their actual results look like? I have dealt with many “sweet talkers” who have impeccable presentation, but not much substance to fall back on when it’s time to make things happen. Be discerning and don’t hesitate to check their professional history. The last thing you want is to sign papers with someone who isn’t really what they claim to be.

4) My motto is: If you cannot be kind, conscious, and respectful, you will NOT have a working relationship with me. The best and longest lasting connections are those that are transparent and loving. Indeed, this is simple common sense, but recently, I’ve been surprised and turned off by the level of selfishness and secretiveness that exists in the business world. When dealing with someone directly, attitude & personality are as important as being able to produce major revenue. Otherwise, you may see your numbers grow, but you are unlikely to achieve longevity. From the onset, review your compatibility with an associate or colleague before making anything official.