It’s not you, it’s me…
On my second day of Havas Lofts in Toronto I was invited to participate in one of these experiences that made my adventure worth it. I was attending a Media Day Session where the agency invites clients (Philips in this case) for a full day of presentations to give an update about new trends, improvements and work for a better relationship together in the future. Our new philosophy tobettertogether includes the way we manage and share with our clients.
Sometimes I like to compare these relationships we have with clients to the ones we share with our actual loved ones. In long relationships (as we normally have with clients) there is plenty of time to face different moments and situations as you would with a normal relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend. There are those hard days to forget, those sweetie days to remember, those sad days to learn from and plenty of other days that make you see that a lot of care is needed.
As Andrea Cairella (psychotherapist) was writing months ago in the Huffingtonpost, Pillars of a relationship, there are a few principles to cultivate for a healthy relationship and I could see some examples of them in yesterday’s meeting between the Havas Team and the client:
Comprehension — Being able to focus on understanding your partner is one of the key elements to a fruitful and satisfying relationship.
After the past few months of so many changes on both teams (Havas and Philips), comprehension has been key for a strong present and it will be for a stronger future.
Respect — Respecting your partner as well as being respected by your partner in words and actions is another key component to a long-term healthy partnership.
Different opinions have to be respected, although you may think those opinions do not match your recommendations.
Trust — Being honest and transparent with one another creates predictability and safety in the relationship. It opens up a space where both of you can confide in one another.
Despite all the changes in both teams, trust between Havas & Philips allowed results to come and the same trust will be needed for their 2018 challenges.
Friendship — Being a good friend to your partner means being kind to one another in words and actions. Oftentimes friends share common interests and activities that are fulfilling and mutually enjoyable.
Part of the team leaving the account for new projects, part of the team being on their first meeting together… but always looking for this personal connection as a starting point of this wonderful relationship. It’s not all about work. Long lasting relationships are based in Friendship too. Sharing personal experiences and knowing each other helps to build up a stronger partnership. I could see details of this happening in yesterday’s meeting.
Communication — Open communication with one another is when you can discuss difficult topics and resolve conflict with one another effectively.
In long relationships with clients, communication is crucial and it has to always be open.
Humility — Being able to be humble, acknowledge fault or say, “I’m sorry” when necessary creates an opening for love, understanding and healing to occur in the relationship.
Answering ‘no’ to the client when you don’t have the answer is the first sign of humility. If you see that the numbers don’t match, you say it. If you don’t know a new product, you accept that you need more information.
Wisdom — Being able to enter into a balanced state of mind allows you to discern between the moments you need to let things go and the situations that require you to stand your ground.
Bringing some of the best partners to these kind of sessions (like Amazon) and presenting some of the future trends in the market makes you stand as somebody who knows and who likes to share this knowledge.
Generosity — Relationships are about a healthy balance of giving and receiving.
Sharing, sharing, sharing… without expecting anything back. Sharing learnings, sharing experiences, sharing numbers, sharing problems, sharing improvements…
Relationships are always hard to maintain because time tends to damage the initial love, but when you have both partners predisposed to move forward you know this partnership can become indestructible. What I saw yesterday at Havas Toronto gave me proof of that. Both teams are in the same boat and rowing in the same direction… because, as you know, always better together :-).
