Page 129 - Free Yourself From

112 It’s Not a Glass Ceiling, It’s a Sticky Floor

with her organization on several programs for their women leaders.
This is just one example of how my reaching out and providing value
or support for others opened up unexpected doors for me.
It’s great to be able to give before you need to receive, but if you
do need help, it’s important to not get hung up on the fact that you
don’t have anything to give people right now. Maybe you will down
the road, or maybe you’ll give back without even knowing it. Maybe
the questions you ask or the help you’re looking for prompts them to
look at their career or business in a different way and perhaps that
new perspective will help them with their own work or career.

Integrity, Intention, and Authenticity

When it comes to developing successful business relationships, I
believe that there are three key factors. You want to pursue these rela-
tionships with integrity, and in ways that are intentional and authen-
tic for you. It’s important for all of us to be natural, but still be
focused and committed to a clear purpose. It’s a fine balance and it
can be achieved. Let’s break it down a little more to see how.

Integrity

This one is simple. Having integrity means being trustworthy and
transparent. Let the person know your intention up front and be
forthcoming about what you’re interested in or what you need help
with. Honor the other person’s wants and needs as much as your
own. Recognize that they have a legitimate choice to not help you at
this particular time, for whatever reason.

Intention

Having intention is thinking through who you’d like to establish a
relationship with and knowing what you want from that relation-