Keisha, a kindergarten teacher, stopped every evening at a local drive-through for her Vanilla Diet Coke. And every night, Jason at the window would smile and say, “See you tomorrow.”
One evening, Keisha replied, “Not tomorrow. I’ve got parent-teacher conferences from 3 to 7.”
Most people would have just said, “Good luck.” Jason didn’t.
The next evening, he showed up at Keisha’s school… with 12 Vanilla Diet Cokes free of charge.
“I know you have some important meetings,” he said, “and thought these might help.”
Now that’s not just customer service. That’s relationship-building.
And that’s something that too many businesses and too many people ignore.
Study after study shows that how people are treated matters more than price or product alone.
In fact, people rarely leave because of price… they leave because of how they’re treated.
So if you want extraordinary success on the job or off you’ve got to master relationships.
Here’s how.
1: Adopt a Service Attitude
You can do all the right things… but if your attitude is off, everything feels off.
Let’s be honest your customer doesn’t care about your flat tire, your bad night’s sleep, or your cranky coworker. And they shouldn’t have to.
People expect and deserve a positive, respectful experience.
And here’s the truth most people miss:
Your attitude walks into the room before you do.
If it’s positive, people lean in.
If it’s negative, people pull away.
Relationships begin with attitude. Always.
2: Focus on Giving…. Not Getting
Most people enter relationships asking, “What can I get?”
That mindset might produce a short-term sale.
But it destroys long-term trust.
The people who win consistently are asking:
“What can I give?”
“How can I help?”
“What would make this better for them?”
Shift that one focus and everything changes.
3: Deliver Dream Experiences (Not Just Basic Services)
Most businesses focus on the basics: get the goods in the customers’ hands.
That’s a mistake.
If you want loyalty, referrals, and repeat business, you’ve got to create memorable experiences.
I think of a Bed & Breakfast I love. Before you arrive, they call to ask about your food preferences. They’ll even make your dinner reservations if you want.
Then comes breakfast one of 27 different five-course gourmet meals.
And here’s the kicker:
They keep a record of what you’ve eaten… so you never get the same meal twice unless you request it.
As you leave, the owners Jack and Elsie hand you a personalized handwritten note, complimenting something specific about you.
That’s not service. That’s unforgettable.
Ask yourself: What 10–20 things could I do that would surprise and delight people?
That’s where relationships are built.
Your Next Step
Reading this is one thing.
Living it consistently is another.
That’s exactly why I created NEXT-LEVEL YOU …
Because building thriving relationships whether at work, at home, or in your community is not about knowing what to do…
- It’s about practicing it daily
- Getting feedback
- Staying consistent
- Being part of a community that reinforces it
Inside NEXT-LEVEL YOU, one of our 12 core pillars is:
Thriving Relationships
Where you’ll learn and actually apply skills like:
- Building trust quickly
- Handling difficult people
- Giving feedback without defensiveness
- Creating real connection (not surface-level interaction)
And most importantly… you won’t do it alone.
You’ll have daily interaction, coaching, and support so this becomes part of who you are, not just something you read once and forget.
Our NEXT-LEVEL YOU community just opened a few days ago. And you have the opportunity to join us as a Founding Member at the lowest-ever-to-be-offered tuition. Click here for more information and/or join us.
4: Look Like a Professional
We don’t like to admit it but appearances matter.
People make judgments about your credibility, your competence, and your character… often in seconds.
I remember a painter in a small town who constantly complained about not being taken seriously. He’d show up to town meetings unshaven, wearing paint-stained clothes, and dismiss anyone who dressed professionally.
“They should listen to my ideas, not judge my appearance,” he’d say.
- Fair or not, perception matters.
- And perception affects relationships.
Look the part.
5: Learn and Use People’s Names
One of the simplest and most powerful relationship tools is using someone’s name.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was famous for remembering thousands of names. It helped him create a sense of connection with people across the country.
And you can do the same on a smaller scale.
Instead of saying:
“Good morning,”
Say:
“Good to see you, Bill.”
That one small change makes people feel seen, valued, and important.
And when people feel important… they come back.
Don’t cop out by saying, “I’m just no good at names.” Instead, spend a few minutes a week learning the names and faces of the people you work with. It will pay off.
6: Greet People with Enthusiasm
I once complimented a receptionist on her warm, energetic greeting.
Her response?
“I’m not just answering the phone I’m the Director of First Impressions.”
That’s a powerful mindset.
Too many people greet others like it’s an interruption. They use a flat, monotone, “it’s-really-a-hassle-to-wait-on-you” tone of voice. And then they wonder why some of their customers seem difficult.
Your greeting sets the tone for the entire relationship.
- Make eye contact
- Smile
- Bring energy
Because people remember how you made them feel.
7: Send Notes ( Yes, Handwritten Ones)
In a world of texts and emails, a handwritten note stands out.
Send:
- Thank-you notes
- Birthday cards
- Congratulations
- Sympathy messages
Almost no one does this anymore which means when you do, it’s powerful.
It instantly moves you into the top tier of thoughtful, professional people.
And it builds relationships that last.
8- Praise Them – Sincerely
People want to be appreciated.
Not flattered. Not manipulated. Appreciated.
Notice something real:
- Their insight
- Their work ethic
- Their attitude
- Their creativity
And say it.
But be genuine. People can spot fake praise a mile away.
👉 Sincerity builds trust.
👉 Trust builds relationships.
👉 Relationships build success.
Final Thoughts
Today, companies like Costco dominate on price.
Companies like Amazon dominate on process.
So where do you win?
You dominate on relationships.
Because that’s what people say matters most. Great experiences, great relationships that seal their loyalty.
Dr. Zimmerman’s Tuesday Tip 1345 The Real Reason People Stay Loyal (It’s Not What You Think)
To ask Dr. Z any question or to schedule a free consultation, email him at Alan@DrZimmerman.com.
