Brad Englert Discusses How to Create and Nurture Authentic Business Relationships: Tips for Aspiring and Established Professionals

Listen to the interview on the Business Innovators Radio Network: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-brad-englert-founder-of-brad-englert-advisory-author-of-spheres-of-influence/

Brad Englert, founder of Brad Englert Advisory and author of the bestselling book, “Spheres of Influence: How to Create and Nurture Authentic Business Relationships.” Brad shares his extensive background, including his 22 years at Andersen Consulting, later becoming Accenture, where he specialized in higher education consulting. After a brief retirement, Brad was called back to serve as the Chief Information Officer at The University of Texas at Austin, which highlighted his passion for mentorship and building authentic relationships in business.

Building authentic business relationships is crucial for success in both internal and external spheres of influence. As Brad Englert emphasizes in the podcast episode, the foundation of effective business interactions is understanding people’s goals and aspirations, setting and managing expectations, and genuinely caring for their success. These three principles apply to all business relationships.

In the internal sphere, understanding the goals and aspirations of your supervisor, direct reports, executive leadership, and all your staff is paramount. Brad recommends starting with your boss, as this relationship can significantly impact your career trajectory. By engaging in meaningful conversations and actively listening to your supervisor’s objectives, you can align your efforts to support their success. This alignment fosters a collaborative environment where both parties can thrive.

Brad outlines three key principles for building all authentic business relationships:

1. Understanding Goals and Aspirations: It’s essential to go beyond surface-level inquiries. Engaging in deep conversations which enables you to grasp what drives your supervisor, direct reports, customers, peers and influencers, and strategic vendor partners. This understanding enables you to tailor your contributions to help them achieve their
2. Setting and Managing Expectations: Clear communication about expectations is crucial. By discussing what each party needs from the relationship, you can avoid catastrophic misunderstandings by ensuring that everyone is on the same page.
3. Genuinely Caring About Their Success: Authenticity is key. When you demonstrate that you genuinely care about their success, it builds trust and strengthens the relationship.

Brad shares his experience with a vendor who was unresponsive and transactional, which ultimately led to their dismissal. In contrast, the replacement vendor prioritized genuine engagement and delivered outstanding customer support which resulted in a long-term, mutually beneficial strategic relationship.

By nurturing internal and external business relationships, you can create a network of support that enhances your overall effectiveness. Brad emphasizes that understanding the needs and goals of external partners is just as critical as it is with internal colleagues. This mutual understanding can lead to collaborative efforts that benefit all parties involved.

Brad shared: “Over 40 years, I’ve come to understand that business success is based on building and nurturing authentic business relationships.”

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/sYXeDSqRF3o

About Brad Englert

Brad Englert is an experienced author, advisor, and technologist with over 40 years of experience in the private and public sectors: Accenture in Austin for 22 years, including 10 years as a partner, and then The University of Texas at Austin for eight years, including seven years as the Chief Information Officer. Brad is the founder of Brad Englert Advisory.

Learn more: https://bradenglert.com/ie/

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