You’re considering a career in business relationship management. What are the key skills you need to succeed?

1 Communication skills

Communication is the core of BRM. You need to be able to communicate effectively with different audiences, using various channels and formats, depending on the context and purpose. You need to be able to listen actively, ask the right questions, provide clear and concise feedback, and tailor your message to suit the needs and preferences of your stakeholders. You also need to be able to influence, persuade, and negotiate, as well as resolve conflicts and manage expectations.

3 Relationship skills

Relationship skills are the ability to build and maintain positive, productive, and trusting relationships with your stakeholders, both internally and externally. You need to be able to empathize, understand, and respect the perspectives, needs, and interests of others, and adapt your style and approach accordingly. You need to be able to collaborate, cooperate, and coordinate with different teams and individuals, and leverage their strengths and expertise. You also need to be able to foster a culture of openness, feedback, and learning.

4 Leadership skills

Leadership skills are the ability to inspire, motivate, and guide others towards a common vision and goal. You need to be able to set clear direction, expectations, and priorities, and provide support and coaching along the way. You need to be able to empower, delegate, and enable others to perform at their best, and recognize and appreciate their contributions. You also need to be able to model the values and behaviors that you expect from others, and demonstrate integrity, accountability, and professionalism.

5 Innovation skills

Innovation skills are the ability to generate, explore, and implement new ideas, solutions, and approaches that create value for your organization and its stakeholders. You need to be able to think creatively, critically, and strategically, and challenge the status quo. You need to be able to identify and seize opportunities, and experiment and learn from failures. You also need to be able to facilitate and support innovation across the enterprise, and foster a culture of curiosity, diversity, and collaboration.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?