It's amazing how often someone I am working with says well I really want to be a better leader. Well, one of the ways is to have regular 1-2-1’s with your direct reports and start by building a great relationship.

What is also astounding is how many managers cancel their 1-2-1’s thinking that what they have on is more important and that their people are pretty competent and missing it will not make a difference. It does.
 
The reason you have a 1-2-1 is to build and get a great relationship with your direct report.

How do you get to have that great relationship? How do you build relationships with your direct reports? Have 1-2-1’s with them.

So how do you build a relationship?

1. Communicate.

2. Make sure that the communication is regular and frequent.

3. Talk about what is important to to your staff, not you. Even if it is not that interesting or important to you.

It's about having great communication. It's about having regular communication. Remember relationships are measured by how often you meet with your staff and what the quality of the communication was like.