Power Score Series: Part 3 — R = Relationships
You’ve set the right Priorities.
You’ve placed the right People in the right positions.
But your team is still stuck.
Deadlines are missed.
Conflicts linger.
Decisions get delayed.
Motivation runs dry.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and you’re not failing. You’re likely just missing the final force of effective leadership:
R = Relationships
This is the third element of the Power Score formula:
P × W × R = Power Score
(Priorities × Who × Relationships = Leadership Effectiveness)
And here’s the truth many leaders overlook:
No amount of strategy or skill can compensate for broken relationships.
The Power Score Insight: Execution Rests on Trust
According to Power Score, one of the top reasons high-performing teams thrive is this:
They execute quickly and effectively because they trust each other.
In contrast, misaligned teams:
- Spend energy protecting themselves rather than solving problems
- Avoid conflict, or explode in it
- Say one thing in the meeting and another in private
- Work in silos, not synergy
The authors found that a low R-score consistently derailed teams—even when they had sharp priorities and great people.
“Relationships either multiply your power—or erode it quietly from within.”
— Power Score
John Maxwell on Relationships and Influence
“Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less.”
— John C. Maxwell
In The 5 Levels of Leadership, Maxwell describes how relational leadership begins at Level 2—where people follow you because they want to, not because they have to.
He reminds us:
- People don’t grow in toxic environments.
- People don’t stay in places where they don’t feel seen or safe.
- People don’t go the extra mile for leaders they don’t trust.
Maxwell also teaches the Law of Connection:
“Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.”
That means before you ask your team to deliver, change, or sacrifice—you must build connection.
Signs of a Relationship Breakdown in Teams
Here are common signs that your R is low:
- Team members avoid hard conversations
- Feedback is rare—or resented
- Success feels individual, not shared
- People are unclear about expectations or hesitant to speak up
- There’s low morale, even when goals are being met
What’s worse: these issues often go unspoken—until it’s too late.
How to Strengthen Your Relationship Score (R)
1. Build Psychological Safety
“People don’t become vulnerable around strangers. They become vulnerable when they feel understood.”
Create an environment where your team feels safe to:
- Admit mistakes
- Share ideas
- Offer honest feedback
- Ask for help
This is the foundation of trust and innovation.
2. Foster Accountability Through Clarity
In Power Score, the best teams used weekly check-ins to review progress, surface blockers, and hold each other accountable.
Accountability isn’t micromanagement. It’s a sign of respect and shared ownership.
Maxwell reinforces this in Leadershift:
“Great leaders don’t just care about people—they care enough to challenge them.”
3. Make Space for Human Connection
You don’t need team-building games to build trust—but you do need intentional moments of connection.
Try:
- Opening meetings with short personal wins or updates
- Regular 1:1s focused on development, not just tasks
- Celebrating milestones and small wins
- Giving sincere recognition often
Connection doesn’t have to be dramatic—it just has to be real.
4. Model the Culture You Want to Create
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.” — John C. Maxwell
Your tone sets the tone.
- If you’re defensive, they’ll shut down.
- If you’re distracted, they’ll disengage.
- But if you’re open, consistent, and honest—your team will reflect that.
Why Relationships Complete the Power Score Puzzle
Let’s revisit the formula one last time:
P × W × R = Power Score
If R = 0—if trust is missing—then your entire leadership impact collapses.
But when relationships are strong, your team:
- Solves problems faster
- Collaborates more naturally
- Feels seen, heard, and valued
- Sticks around—and brings others with them
This is what makes leadership sustainable—and even joyful.
My Thoughts: Relationships Multiply Leadership
You can’t buy trust. You can’t fake care. You have to earn both over time.
But once you do, your team will move with you—not just behind you.
So ask yourself:
- Am I building a culture of safety and feedback?
- Am I clear in expectations—but generous in grace?
- Do people feel better after they work with me—or drained?
Because in the end, leadership isn’t just what you do—it’s how people feel when they do it with you.
Wrap-Up: The Power Score Recap
Over this series, we explored:
- P = Priorities — Doing what matters most
- W = Who — Putting the right people in the right seats
- R = Relationships — Creating trust and connection that fuel results
Together, they form your Power Score—a simple way to measure and multiply your leadership.
Want to Go Deeper?
Ready to assess your team’s Power Score?
I offer DISC-based leadership workshops and coaching to help you align your priorities, people, and team dynamics for long-term success
