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The Blueprint for Better Client and Team Relationships with Author Michael Bungay Stanier

4 snips

Jul 1, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Michael Bungay Stanier, author of 'How to Work with (Almost) Anyone', shares insights on the transformative power of strong relationships in business. He introduces the concept of the Best Possible Relationship (BPR), highlighting the importance of safety, vitality, and repairability in client interactions. Listeners learn about Keystone Conversations as a tool for enhancing client retention, and five key questions that foster deeper connections. Michael emphasizes the significance of bravery and curiosity in effective collaboration.

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INSIGHT

Relationships Drive Success

Success and happiness at work depend heavily on the quality of working relationships.
Good client relationships lead to contract renewals and financial benefits beyond just being nice.

ANECDOTE

Strong Relationships Trump Deals

Strong client relationships often outweigh better product deals in business decisions.
Account managers cultivating trust are key to client retention, even with cheaper alternatives available.

ADVICE

Build Best Possible Relationships

Aim to build relationships that are safe, vital, and repairable, termed Best Possible Relationships (BPR).
Focus on these elements to improve relationships that impact your success and happiness.

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What if your success didn’t just depend on what you do—but on how you work with people? In this episode, I sit down with Michael Bungay Stanier, author of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to uncover how the quality of our working relationships is the true game-changer in business. Whether you’re trying to repair a tricky client dynamic or elevate a good one into something exceptional, this conversation is packed with mindset shifts, practical frameworks, and one incredibly simple but powerful tool: the Keystone Conversation.

We dive deep into how to create a Best Possible Relationship (BPR)—and why safe, vital, and repairable relationships are the secret sauce for long-term client retention, team morale, and professional fulfillment. Michael shares the five questions you can ask to build stronger foundations with clients (and colleagues), plus how to model bravery, curiosity, and generosity in ways that truly set you apart. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring more intentionality and impact into the way you collaborate, this is the episode to hit play on.

Topics We Cover in This Episode:

How one simple mindset shift can change the way you lead every client call
Why safety is essential—but not enough—for meaningful collaboration
The three hidden traits that define every Best Possible Relationship
How to become “easy to work with” in a way that builds unshakable trust
What a Keystone Conversation is—and why it’s your secret client-retention weapon
Five powerful questions that unlock better communication and mutual respect
What to do when a relationship goes sideways—and how to repair it with confidence
Why modeling curiosity (instead of advice-giving) is a powerful differentiator

If this conversation sparked something in you, now’s the time to take action. Think of one relationship that could use a reset—or a boost—and try just one of the questions Michael shared today. You’ll be amazed at what opens up. And if you want the full roadmap, grab a copy of How to Work with (Almost) Anyone and visit bestpossiblerelationship.com for bonus resources, free downloads, and a video example of the Keystone Conversation in action. Let’s start working better—one conversation at a time.

Resources Mentioned:

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How to Work with Almost Anyone

Best Possible Relationship Toolkit