Part I: Relationship Skills

Technology does not run an enterprise; relationships do.

—Patricia Fripp

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people.

—Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. President

I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day you bet on people, not on strategies.

—Larry Bossidy, CEO of Allied Signal

If you wish to make a man your enemy, tell him simply, “You are wrong.” This method works every time.

—Henry C. Link

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing in the right place, but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

—Lady Dorothy Nevill, English Writer

This first part of the book focuses on the five essential relationship skills for an architect. Specifically, Chapters 1 through 5 focus on principles, strategies, and other areas such as interacting with executives that will help you become more effective in managing your architectural relationships:

• Chapter 1: Gracious Behavior. Your ability to be gracious with others in all circumstances.

• Chapter 2: Communication. Your ability to effectively interact with others.

• Chapter 3: Negotiation. Your ability to get things done.

• Chapter 4: Leadership. Your ability to influence what and how things get done.

• Chapter 5: Politics. Your ability to interact in a political marketplace.

Relationship skills are the foundational layer of the soft skills needed to be an architect (see Figure P1-1).

Figure P1-1. Essential architect skills: relationship skills