"You are so blunt sometimes, Christy."
These words were said to me years ago at work in a half-joking, half-serious way after I had abruptly approached a co-worker’s desk, asking if she had a report ready for me. I wasn’t offended—I knew the person well—but it did make me stop and think:
Do people know that I care about them first and foremost, or do they feel like I only care about getting the problem fixed or the job done?
In one of my previous 19+ jobs, (which is a story for another day), I was a volunteer/event coordinator for a nonprofit. We needed a significant number of volunteers for each event, so I felt the pressure to recruit as many people as possible. What I learned quickly (and painfully) was that if I focused solely on filling slots, I missed out on the opportunity to build relationships. Without those relationships, I could get a volunteer for one event—but then lose them after that. They were no longer excited to help and be involved because they felt disengaged at best and used at worst.
I knew I needed to change. I started sharing my story—how I became involved in the organization as a volunteer and then a staff member. I asked others why they wanted to be involved and truly listened to their stories. I remembered names and used them often.
It wasn’t comfortable at first. My default is to just get in and get the job done—complete the task and move on. But to this day, I still have people who volunteered with us stop to say hello. They don’t avoid me in Target (the true sign of success in my world), and more often than not, they comment on how much they enjoyed being involved. Doing the work upfront of building relationships pays off in both big and small ways.
Bringing the Balance to HR and Small Business Success
This balance between relationships and tasks isn’t just a personal challenge—it’s at the core of building a strong, successful workplace. As small business owners, we need our teams to be productive, but we also want them to feel valued. Employees who feel like they’re just another task to be managed won’t stick around for long. On the flip side, a workplace that focuses only on relationships without structure can struggle with inefficiency, misalignment, or even compliance risks.
This is where HR plays a crucial role. When done right, HR isn’t just about policies and paperwork—it’s about creating an environment where employees feel connected and empowered to do their best work. At DevelopHR Consulting, we help small businesses find that sweet spot. Whether it’s crafting hiring processes that focus on both skills and culture fit, designing compensation strategies that show employees they’re valued, or developing policies that support both structure and flexibility, our goal is to help businesses thrive by strengthening both their people and processes.
If you’ve ever felt the tension between getting things done and building relationships, know that you’re not alone. The key isn’t choosing one over the other—it’s learning how to integrate both into your leadership style, your team culture, and your business strategy. And if you’re looking for guidance in finding that balance within your organization, that’s exactly what we do at DevelopHR Consulting.
A Challenge for Both Mindsets
Now, I can hear those of you like me saying:
"I don’t have time to build relationships! There are things to get done. I have this project or that report to complete."
"I can’t stop and talk to my neighbor—I have to clean the house, mow the lawn, make dinner, take the kids to basketball/hockey/gymnastics."
"I don’t have time to listen to my 7-year-old tell me a 10-minute story that should have taken her 2 minutes."
For those who are wired to get things done, my challenge is to intentionally build one relationship this week—write a thank-you note to a co-worker, stop and talk with your neighbor, or take a few extra minutes to listen to your kids. Yes, tasks need to be completed, but don’t forget about the people along the way.
For those who thrive on relationships but struggle with follow-through, my challenge is to prioritize a key task this week—instead of chatting with the neighbor for 30 minutes, talk for 10 and then finish folding the laundry that has been sitting in the basket for three days. Yes, relationships matter, but getting things done is important, too.
Finding the right balance is an ongoing process, but when we are intentional about both relationships and tasks, we create stronger teams, better businesses, and more meaningful connections—both at work and in life.
Take the Next Step
Finding harmony between relationship-building and getting things done is a skill that can be developed—and we’re here to help. Whether you need to strengthen your ability to build connections or improve your efficiency and follow through on key tasks, we’d love to support you.
👉 Want to learn more? Fill out this quick form to tell us what you’d like to improve, and we’ll send you practical strategies to help you grow in the area that matters most to you.
At DevelopHR Consulting, we believe that great businesses are built on both strong relationships and smart execution. Let’s work together to help you - and your business - find that balance.
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