Relationship Grid

A few years ago, I read Wayne Baker’s “Achieving Success Through Social Capital.” In the book, he outlined a relationship grid which described four types of relationships. Three of those relationships did not have a mutually beneficial vested interest.

The first relationship described is called a spot market deal oriented relationship. There is no history and no expectation of commitment to future transactions. I get what I want. You get want you want. Each person has a vested interest only in himself or herself. These relationships are short-term, fleeting transactions.

The second type of relationship is an exploitation relationship. You get exploited by others who don’t make investments in the relationship and who take advantage of the investments you make. You are looking to build a relationship (friendship, business, etc.) and the other is looking to make a deal. Over time, you begin to have the uneasy, gut feelings of being taken advantage of. To protect yourself, you withdraw from this relationship.

The third type of relationship is much like the second. It is called an exit relationship. In this relationship the roles are reversed. The other person is willing to make investments in you, but you are only in it for what you can extract from the deal. The other person will exit sooner or later.

The fourth type of relationship is a partnership relationship. Both people are relationship oriented. In a partnership relationship each person desires  loyal, mutually beneficial, long-term relationships.  These relationships are sustainable because each person has a vested interest in each others’ success.

Stay well and prosper.