Breaking out your relationship building skills in your business and personal lives can still be uncharted territory. With the new and unknown inevitably comes some awkward hiccups.
Here’s some common awkward bumps in the road and how to handle them courtesy of Frances Cole Jones, author and President of Cole Media Management.
While Jones does not believe in mixing business with pleasure, she nevertheless offers some tips for navigating the business-pleasure grounds.
Practical advice for all the practical folks out there.
You’re single. They’re single. Everybody’s interested.
First things first, make sure that no ethical or corporate regulations are being violated should you both decide to kindle those romantic flames. Along with hard-lined corporate policies, you also want to ask around to see if there are any unspoken rules about inter-office, inter-client, or someone in a competing industry.
You’re single. They’re single. But you’re not interested.
In this scenario, you’re directly or indirectly being hit on someone you’re not interested in. But you’re weary that turning them down will distract from your deal or impact your team.
When turning them down, remember to be clear and kind. If you’re still being pestered, try not to make up imaginary plans or spouses.
Pull out the line, “Dating has the potential to derial the deal/ project, and I think you would agree that’s the most importanta thing.”
In any situation where anyone is married…
If someone is marred, engaged, or about to get a divroce, stay hands-off. Married means married. And married means unavailable.
If you’re situation works out, congratulations. According to Jones, for every one situation that works out, there are thousands and thousands of examples that don’t.
