Forgetting to water a plant is a common occurrence in my house. Plants very quickly (well, it feels quickly to me) start to droop, wilt, and then the petals drop off. I try to pay attention, but the results are not pretty…

As I am discarding the old plant, I always have a good reason—or excuse—for the neglect:

• I was on holiday.

• I didn't realize you have to water cacti. (You do.)

• I was busy, and just didn't see the plant wilting.

• I thought someone else was tending to it.

In my work with leaders and companies, I find the same type of situations. Leaders forget to pay attention to the important things, like cultivating effective relationships with colleagues. As a result, workplace connections wilt and performance withers.  

While this may not be reflected in fallen petals, it often becomes apparent in missed deadlines, tense meetings and interactions, and by people not being available when needed. Ultimately, performance suffers—for leaders and everyone that works with them.

The good news: You don’t need to have a “green thumb” to cultivate powerful relationships at work. It is basic common sense that, unfortunately, many of us forget to implement. Here are six questions that you can use to nurture your “ally” relationships:

• What's being happening since we last spoke?

• What’s working well?

• What’s getting in the way of your/our success?

• What have I done to amaze you recently?

• How have I missed expectations?

• What is one thing I could do differently to help you/us?

These are simply some "pulse-check questions" for fostering nurturing relationships. You don't have to ask all six questions at one time; it is okay to spread them out over a few meetings. I try to ensure that I ask these questions of critical stakeholders and professional colleagues. The secret to success is to ask them, listen to the answers, and then take the appropriate action.

My challenge to you:  Pick just ONE of these questions and pose it to a colleague. In doing so, you will find out how quickly you can cultivate a healthier relationship!