671. Expert Interview: How to Develop the Relational Leader in You

Colby B. Jubenville, PhD

Colby Jubenville, PhD, is an accomplished author, international speaker, professor, business advisor, entrepreneur and inventor. He holds an academic appointment at Middle Tennessee State University as Special Assistant to the Dean for Student Success and Strategic Partnerships in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

He regularly speaks on his books, “Me: How To Sell Who You Are”, “What You Do & Why You Matter to the World” and “Zebras & Cheetahs: Look Different and Stay Agile to Survive the Business Jungle,” which teaches how to compete on unique value, resulting in getting paid for the value you deliver.

How to Develop the Relational Leader in You

You have to be very intentional about building relationships. It does not happen on its own. Ask yourself: How do we build relationships inside of our organization? You do that by creating what I call a container of trust. It is about mutual respect and accountability, based on getting to know each other and what matters to the other person. It involves vulnerability.

Why Is This Important?

“The key to business is personal relationships. If I look over my career, my body of work, the things I have been able to accomplish, the key to almost any of them is personal relationships. But we do not teach people how to become relational leaders. We teach them how to do tasks. That’s why this topic is so important.”

What Are the Key Lessons Learned Here?

“A relational leader begins with understanding that the foundation of trust is safety. Safety, in business relationships, looks like this: Am I known? Am I heard? Am I valued? Am I important? Does my opinion matter?”