That work relationship that's draining you? It's not going to fix itself.
That work relationship that's draining you? It's not going to fix itself. 😬 🤷🏼♀️
You know that person at work - the one who's critical to your success, but somehow you are not on the same page?
Maybe it's a peer who keeps blocking your work. Or a direct report who's draining the team's energy. Or a new boss whose style you can't read.
You know you need to address it. You've thought about it. You've probably even rehearsed the conversation in your head while making coffee or sitting in traffic. But you haven't actually started.
And every day that passes, the friction builds. Projects slow down. Your stress goes up. The relationship gets weirder and harder to fix.
A quick story: This exact situation is what brought q clients to me last year. Let’s call her Julie. Julie was a talented Chief Customer Officer butting heads with a CRO in almost every meeting. She knew the conflict and negativity was hurting both of them, and the business, but she kept putting off dealing with it because... well, she just wanted to “get through it.”
In our first session, we mapped out exactly what was happening - not the story Julie had been telling herself, but the actual pattern. She took the time and did the work to see what she couldn't see on her own. And over the next few months, Julie took specific small steps with the CRO that got them back on the same side of the table, shifting the dynamic completely. They’re now collaborators and colleagues tackling business goals together.
My take? Difficult relationships don't magically fix themselves. They shift when you take time to see the situation clearly, understand the friction, and choose a proactive approach (instead of just reacting or avoiding).
The cool part is - you don't have to figure this out alone.
Here's how we'd tackle it together:
1. Untangle what's actually happening (vs. what you think is happening)
2. Spot your blind spots and the patterns you might not see from inside
3. Reframe the problem so you can see new options
4. Map out a specific, actionable plan for your next steps
5. Practice the approach, if needed, until it feels natural
Ready to stop avoiding this and take action?
Book a free 30-minute clarity call with me. We'll dig into this specific relationship mess, and I'll help you see what you're missing. Zero obligation to work together beyond that - though we can talk about it if it makes sense for you.
Schedule Your Clarity Call: https://lnkd.in/d__D-V2c
This is the work that brings me joy: helping smart, accomplished leaders untangle the messy relationship dynamics that keep them stuck. Let's get you unstuck.
I know you're not going to name names, so instead: what's something else you're avoiding today? Hard pants? That pile of laundry? Opening your laptop?