How do you approach establishing a baseline of understanding when you start working with new people?

"For the past three years, I have worked as a project management consultant for three different nonprofits helping them to refine and initiate five-year strategic plans for the first time. An essential part of my work on the front-end is getting to know each employee at the nonprofit as well as their job function. I firmly believe it is important to know the employee holistically in order to determine what they are capable of contributing overall to a strategic model. Besides meeting with every employee individually and shadowing their work, I make sure to attend department meetings so I can witness the operations firsthand and see not only what people do but how they work together. Since I am constantly in an environment that requires me to meet and assess new people, I have developed the ability to quickly make a human connection."

"In my work as a client advocacy manager, I make in-home visits to clients receiving hospice services to check on their quality of life and determine if they require any additional assistance in terms of housing, medical care, nutrition, companionship, clothing, house and lawn maintenance, and more. Most people do not immediately trust someone entering their personal space, so it is my obligation to make sure they feel comfortable and respected during my visit. I always invite them to share any stories from their lives that they wish to share and encourage them to talk about their families. By greeting them warmly and establishing trust, I am able to lay the foundation of a client-case manager relationship that will result in the client honestly sharing their struggles and needs. In turn, this will help me make a better decision about how to help them."

Think of all the professional relationships you have built over the years and how you established them. Pick one or two co-workers, managers, clients, donors, volunteers, etc. to focus on in your answer.