What do you do if your professional relationships in Business Architecture are deteriorating?

When encountering difficult relationships I try to understand is it the topic / message or is it something personal that I have done. As a business architect, often we can be challenging colleagues and superiors about a course of action. I find it important to listen and understand my colleagues view, have I got all the context and have I considered all the factors. If I have then I will defend my position as my objective is to achieve an informed decision - which I accpet my not be my view. Ultimately, the best piece of advice I got was to be a Trusted Advisor (look it up) and to never come across as self focused.

An important step in trying to repair any professional relationship is to try to put yourself in the shoes of the other party; what motivations might they have, how might their priorities be different to yours, are the other circumstances that may be driving their behaviour. Empathy is a key skill to have in this regard.

Drawing from personal experiences, I've seen firsthand how strategic partnerships can unlock new opportunities, enhance capabilities, and amplify impact. These partnerships go beyond transactional collaborations; they are about fostering long-term relationships built on trust, shared values, and a mutual commitment to excellence. One key aspect of strategic partnerships is the ability to leverage complementary strengths. By joining forces with organizations that bring unique expertise, resources, or technologies to the table, we can create synergies that drive value creation and competitive advantage. For example, partnering with a technology provider can enhance digital capabilities, improve operational efficiency, and guest experience .

Las relaciones humanas son muy complejas, un comentario "constructivo" de nuestra parte en una reunión, puede ser tomado como "ofensivo" y generar sentimientos de enojo, humillación o menosprecio. Por lo que recomiendo que en el análisis de causa raíz no se quede en encontrar los eventos, acciones y reacciones, sino llegar a nivel de sentimientos y pensamientos en ambas partes.

You have to evaluate if the situation is reversible. If so, keep calm and try to reconstruct relations by finding the root causes and acting on them. If not, keep calm and search for a new structure where you can feel home.

I believe in most cases it is important to initiate open conversations and that too with an open mind to take the feedback. Most often it is the divergence in perspectives that causes the divide as opposed to a specific point of contention. To me a divergent perspective is also a feedback that needs to be taken in its stride. At the end of the day the most important aspect is one’s readiness to acknowledge and take the perspectives or feedback’s on its merit

When initiating a dialogue, one need to take into cognitive certain factors that could hinder effective communication like medium, time, situations and self presentation to mention but a few. You might want to look at the other party and factor in how they’d react to face to face or emails or a letter. Because, in a world where someone finds an e-mail offensive, face to face or other means might help. Timing is key. You don’t want to raise the issue with the other person at a time they are stressed, busy or afraid. Self presentation if not properly handled could ruin everything. You might want to understand the other party and factor in how they’d like to be addressed when there are issues.

Según mi experiencia, los siguientes pasos son importantes para entablar un dialogo exitoso. - Determine cuales son sus valores, aquello que es valioso para usted. No busque iniciar una dialogo con la intención de "ganar". Un dialogo es exitoso cuando las partes, saben a que quieren llegar. - Aplique DEAR MAN. una técnica excelente de comunicación. - Afirme compromisos o conclusiones. - Una vez finalice el dialogo, evite rumiaciones sobre lo que pudo haber dicho o lo que pudo haber "sacado en ventaja", recuerde que sus valores están claros desde el principio.

Initiate conversations with those involved to express your observations and concerns. It's important to approach these dialogues with empathy and an open mind, aiming to understand their perspective. Tools like Microsoft Teams or Zoom can facilitate these discussions, especially in a remote work environment, ensuring that communication remains personal and direct.

At the heart of repairing and strengthening these connections lies a dual approach: the art of communication and the commitment to long-term partnerships. By delving into these facets, we uncover actionable strategies for fortifying professional networks, underscored by a timeless insight from Stephen R. Covey: "Trust is the glue of life. It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication. It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships."

Take time to reflect on your own actions, behaviors, and potential contributions to the situation. Consider engaging in self-assessment tools or personality tests, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or StrengthsFinder, to gain insights into your interpersonal dynamics and how they might affect your professional relationships.

Take time to reflect internally on your own actions and how they may have contributed to the current situation. This introspection can reveal insights into behavioral patterns or decision-making processes that need adjustment. Acknowledging one’s own role in the deterioration of a relationship is a powerful step towards mending it. Writing a standpoint like this can help to focus on reflecting your own behaviour.

Self-reflection is vital when addressing deteriorating professional relationships in Business Architecture. Consider your behavior and actions that might have influenced the situation. Self-awareness is crucial in understanding how your actions are perceived by others in BA. Evaluate your communication effectiveness and whether you've been respectful of others' ideas. Adjusting your approach can significantly contribute to repairing professional relationships. This introspective process enhances personal growth and fosters a positive work environment conducive to collaboration and success in BA endeavors.

Receiving feedback is important and should help you understand the viewpoint of your peers and also questioning your own behavior. Listen carefully and do not judge the other person for what they mention to you. Afterwards you can examine if your view needs improvement or if your peers have to do more self reflection on their own views. I rarely experience good feedback behavior in receiving feedback. Usually we all tend to defend ourselves. So just listen and reflect later.

Moreover, strategic partnerships enable access to new markets and customer segments. By aligning with partners who have a strong presence or influence in specific markets, we can expand our reach, attract diverse clientele, and capitalize on emerging trends and opportunities. This approach has proven effective in expanding market share and driving revenue growth in dynamic and competitive environments. Another critical aspect of strategic partnerships is innovation and co-creation. Collaborating with partners allows us to co-create new solutions, products, or services that address evolving customer needs and industry trends.

Often, a deteriorating relationship can stem from misunderstandings or unmet expectations. By seeking feedback, you can gain a clearer picture of what's causing the friction. This allows you to address the specific issue rather than continuing down a path of frustration.

Actively seek feedback from peers, mentors, and the individuals involved in the deteriorating relationships. This can be done through anonymous surveys, one-on-one meetings, or through a feedback tool like 360-degree feedback systems. The goal is to gather diverse perspectives on your interaction style and its impact on others.

Actively seek feedback from the affected parties and other neutral observers. This feedback can provide a different perspective on the situation and highlight issues you might not have been aware of. Constructive criticism is invaluable in the process of rebuilding relationships, as it offers a roadmap for the necessary adjustments.

In my experience, I would think in a professional workplace a deteriorating relationship is a consequence of value exchange and to be more specific the "lack of it". For a healthy relationship in a workplace, it is critical that you understand the business value, goals and outcome of your every department/function/people you work with and try to align your Business Architecture services to help them achieve their goals. Once this is established, relationship should reverse and skyrocket in fact. And only then you will be seen as a critical/important function to their success.

Based on the feedback and insights gathered, develop a plan to address the issues identified. This might involve improving communication skills, adjusting your leadership style, or implementing specific conflict resolution strategies. Consider setting SMART goals to track your progress and hold yourself accountable for making changes.

Implementing changes to address the identified issues. This might involve altering communication strategies, revising collaboration methods, or adjusting project management practices. Demonstrate through actions that you are committed to making positive changes to mend and strengthen the relationship.

Implementing changes based on assessments and feedback is vital in addressing deteriorating professional relationships in Business Architecture. Adaptability and responsiveness are key in this field. Consider improvements in communication, inclusivity in decision-making, and acknowledging others' expertise. Even small changes can positively impact perceptions and enhance professional relationships. Embrace a mindset of continuous improvement, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment conducive to success in BA endeavors.

Try to understand the problem why the relationship is deteriorating Is it due to ego issues ? Due to professional competency Due to organisation culture there are interpersonal issues or is it due to personality issue ? Accordingly assess the situation and have an open private dialogue and agree to work harmoniously professionally.

Restoring and improving professional relationships is an ongoing process. Regularly check in with the individuals involved and continue to seek feedback on your efforts. Maintain an open and constructive approach to communication, and be willing to adjust your strategies as needed. Tools like regular team meetings or informal check-ins can help sustain these efforts.

Como en todo ciclo iterativo, la retroalimentación es la clave de la mejora continua. Y para poder maximizar estos resultados se tiene que tener la capacidad de tener una apertura a las críticas y recomendaciones, sin esto todo lo anterior no va a tener valor alguno.

Consistently maintaining efforts is crucial in addressing deteriorating professional relationships in Business Architecture. Relationships are cultivated over time through repeated interactions and mutual respect. Demonstrate ongoing commitment to positive engagement and collaboration, reinforcing your dedication to rebuilding and improving relationships. In the dynamic field of business architecture, nurturing a robust professional network is essential for long-term success, ensuring resilience in the face of challenges and fostering opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Furthermore, strategic partnerships can mitigate risks and enhance resilience. By diversifying our network and collaborating with reliable and reputable partners, we can navigate challenges, adapt to disruptions, and maintain business continuity even in volatile environments. This resilience is particularly crucial in the hospitality sector, where external factors such as economic shifts, geopolitical events, and global pandemics can impact operations significantly. In essence, strategic partnerships in hospitality management consulting are a catalyst for growth, innovation, and sustainability. They empower us to , access new opportunities, drive innovation, mitigate risks, and ultimately deliver exceptional value to stakeholders.

Set up a BA Community of Practice and open to anyone with interest in BA. Facilitate BA CoP meetings and encourage wider participation from members.

In addition to these steps, consider the broader context of your professional relationships. Networking within and outside your organization can provide additional support and insights. Engaging in professional development opportunities related to emotional intelligence, communication, and leadership can also equip you with new strategies for managing and improving relationships. Remember, the goal is not only to repair but also to strengthen your professional connections, fostering a supportive and collaborative business architecture environment.