By Jessica Salerno, OSCPA senior content manager

Transactional business relationships aren’t as valuable as they used to be, and this also applies within your team. Today’s environment demands a culture that is engaging and supportive for professionals.

“In the past, for the CFO or shareholder in an accounting firm, the relational piece hasn’t been something in demand. And now it is,” said Brad Self, chief talent officer at Clark Schaefer Hackett. “If you want to retain your people and have them feel engaged, you’ve got to develop some type of relationship with them.”

Effectively communicating is a key part of relationship building, along with listening. Self said many leaders don’t take the listening piece seriously because they think it’s too easy.

“Listening is a simple concept, but it involves body language and tone and attentiveness,” he said. “Taking the time to listen in this professional environment provides huge benefits. And it builds that opportunity to improve processes, because when you’re listening to the needs of your people you can identify the issues.”

You can learn more about understanding talent better through relationship building and coaching at Self’s session at the Cleveland Accounting Show on “The War for Talent: Becoming an Employer of Choice.”

Cleveland Accounting Show

Oct. 17-18 | Cleveland