As a leadership coach working with medium and large organizations, one of the common blind spots I see in leaders is the tendency to treat relationships as a “nice to have” rather than a strategic imperative. Most leaders say people matter yet very few are intentional about nurturing and deepening relationships. 

The evidence tells a different story: strong relationships are not optional. They are the bedrock of a leader’s happiness, resilience, and sustained performance.

One of the most persuasive arguments for prioritizing relationships comes from Scientists at Harvard University who have been seeking the key to a happy life since 1938, which is the longest happiness study ever conducted. After 85 years of research, they concluded that it is our relationships with other people that give us the greatest happiness.

For a leader, this means investing in relationships is not “extra”, it’s survival. 

Why Relationships Belong at the Center of Leadership

1) They fuel joy, well-being, and resilience.
When demands spike, leaders reach for stamina, grit, and strategy. But the real saving grace is relationships: trusted colleagues, mentors, and peers who provide perspective, candid feedback, and psychological safety. Strong ties reduce isolation, normalize challenges, and help you recover faster, so you can make better decisions under pressure.

2) They accelerate execution and decision making.
Trust shortens work cycles because when people feel safe, they are willing to take risks, challenge assumptions, and align more effectively. We are more collaborative, and execution speeds up because we’re not burning energy on politics, defensiveness, or rework.

3) They expand influence and impact.
Influence doesn’t come from title alone. It comes from credibility earned in establishing relationships and through consistent follow-through, fairness, empathy, and presence. Leaders who invest in relationships mobilize discretionary effort, unlock collaboration across silos, and sustain momentum in complex environments.

Practical Steps: How to Prioritize Relationships (Without Adding Hours)

It’s not enough to believe relationships are important, your actions and words must consistently align with this belief. Here are practical steps you can take to strengthen your relationships with others in the workplace.

1. Audit your relationships

• Make a list of your key relationships (boss, peers, direct reports, mentors, confidants).
• Ask: which relationships are strong? Which are neglected?
• Identify at least one important relationship to deepen.

2. Schedule relationship building time as non-negotiable

• Block 30 minutes weekly with direct reports (not for status updates, but to connect at the human level).
• Reserve time monthly for mentors, peers, or personal confidants.
• Use “micro moments” (short check-ins and messages) to stay connected.

3. Listen deeply, not just outwardly

• Use open ended questions, attentive body language and emotional reflection.
• Listen not to respond, but to understand.
• Acknowledge emotions, build empathy before jumping to solutions.

4. Be generous with small acts of kindness and support

• Send a personal note of appreciation.
• Provide help without being asked.
• Remember names, preferences and small details.

5. Repair relationship ruptures fast

• When missteps happen, own them quickly.
• Be humble, apologize, and rebuild trust deliberately.

6. Model relationship building in your team norms

• Encourage peer-to-peer connection.
• Promote psychological safety, feedback loops and vulnerability.
• Celebrate wins and show encouragement and support (team celebrations, sharing stories, peer-to-peer recognition).

7. Measure relationship health

• Take the pulse with your team: “Do you feel seen, heard, trusted?”
• Use qualitative interviews, stay interviews, and human check ins.
• Adjust your approach and tactics based on feedback.

Relationships Are Your Legacy

When you orient your leadership around relationships not as an afterthought but as a strategic priority, your success is richer, your joy is deeper, and your impact is greater. People will remember how you made them feel, how you helped them grow, and how you showed up when it mattered. What’s one relationship you’ll invest in this week?

Let’s keep the conversation going. Reach out at 416-560-1806 or joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca. I’d love to help you transform your relationships into the most reliable leverage you have as a leader.