Intentional Relationship Management

Overview

Managers exist to develop employees, hold people accountable, and foster teamwork.

🤔 Partners in dynamic relationships work to grow, hold each other accountable, and create a thriving team.

This week’s Partnership Pulse reviews how you can be a great partner
by using traditional management skills.

(Got some skills already? Skip to Action.)

Issue(s)

Letting your relationship unfold without intervention - by keeping conversation minimal or mostly the same, and generally being indifferent to the choices you or your partner make or avoiding difficult conversations - is called a laissez-faire relationship approach.

Being laissez-faire means letting your relationship take its own course without trying to change it. (It’s basically the opposite of an intentional relationship.)

While being hands-off increases autonomy (each partner enjoying doing what they want), it also results in:

• lack of direction

• misalignment

• disconnection

Analysis:

Management is challenging because it requires motivating others to execute a goal. You’re encouraging them to do their best and do it right. Successful managers need specific skills to carry out their responsibilities. 

Key responsibilities are:

• Setting goals (in alignment with an over-arching relationship vision)

• Motivating your partner to develop themselves (and your relationship)

• Staying organized and dividing tasks

Key skills are:

• Communication: to encourage open dialogue and work through conflict

• Leadership: leading your partner with support to the next goal

• Integrity: you’re counted on to do what you say you’ll do

Stale interactions result in failures to support, motivate, and lead each other.
Lack of growth and change happens when goals aren’t set and met.
Distance occurs if communication is avoided.

You get the picture.

Solution:

Take a hands-on approach to managing (but not dominating) your relationship.

Be interested, stay engaged, and seek continuous learning about each other.

Action:

Choose one of the following to add to your relationship routine.

1. Set Goals Together: discuss your individual and joint goals. What can you support each other in doing? What common goals do you have as a couple?

   → Align ambitions and create a shared vision.

2. Create Regular Check-Ins: Set aside dedicated time for intentional conversations with your partner. Ask open-ended questions about their day, their dreams, or any concerns they might have.

   → Create a space for open communication.

3. Motivate Self-Development: take time to acknowledge and encourage each other to continue to learn, adapt, and pursue an intentional relationship.

   → Actively seeking to understand and grow and demonstrate your commitment to your relationship's success.

Conclusion:

An intentional relationship is a managed relationship — one where you invest your time, energy, and mind into it to strengthen your connection and achieve goals.

Thrive together,

Michelle

P.S. Welcome to the recent subscribers to Partnership Pulse!
So glad you’re here. ❤️ 

P.P.S. If you like my weekend content, you may also enjoy my weekday posts about intentional connection, direction, and growth in life and at work.
👋 Follow me on LinkedIn.