Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer.
Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer. I think you build one with your employees first.
The words of Angela Ahrendts—“Everyone talks about building a relationship with your customer. I think you build one with your employees first”—hold the ring of wisdom that leaders of old would have carved into stone. For they remind us that the strength of any house lies not in the guests who enter, but in the hands of those who keep its doors, light its fires, and sustain its walls.
The ancients taught that a ruler is only as mighty as their people. A king may dream of wealth and honor, yet without loyal stewards, warriors, and craftsmen, his realm crumbles. So too, in the world of commerce, the customer is vital, but it is the employee whose spirit and labor shape the encounter. To honor them first is to tend the roots before harvesting the fruit.
Ahrendts’ words reveal that a true relationship is built not on outward flattery but on inward loyalty. When employees feel valued, respected, and seen, they carry that same reverence into their service. Thus, the love a leader shows inward flows outward in abundance, blessing the customer far more deeply than hollow gestures ever could.
The wisdom is clear: neglect of those who serve leads to a hollow kingdom, where the walls shine but the foundations rot. But when the laborers, the builders, the stewards are nurtured, the whole structure thrives, and all who enter feel its strength. The relationship begins at the heart, and from there spreads to every hand that touches it.
So let this teaching be remembered: if you would honor the customer, honor the employee first. For as the roots nourish the tree, so the workers sustain the vision. The ancients knew this truth, and now it is spoken anew—that true leadership begins not with the crowd outside, but with the family within.
LNle nga
This quote really resonates with me. In many industries, employees are often treated as secondary to customers, but I think this can lead to burnout and low morale. Do you think this mindset might be why some companies struggle with high turnover rates? What strategies do you think could help foster stronger employee relationships?
NMLe Ngoc Mai
I feel like this quote highlights a fundamental aspect of leadership. Leaders who invest in their teams and build strong employee relationships are more likely to have motivated and loyal employees. Do you think companies overlook this sometimes? How can businesses change their approach to prioritize employee relationships over customer ones?
DDTu Dao Duc
It’s an interesting perspective. I’ve always thought customer relationships come first, but I see now how building a solid relationship with employees could lead to better customer service. What do you think would happen if more companies focused on strengthening employee bonds first? Could this improve the overall customer experience?
DKDoan Khoa
This quote really makes me think about the importance of internal relationships. While customers are crucial, without the right foundation within the company, those external relationships can fall flat. How do you think a company can start building a strong internal culture? Is it about communication, trust, or something else?
HSNguyen Hong Son
I completely agree with this quote. Too often, businesses focus on customer relationships but forget that employees are the backbone of any company. If your employees aren't happy and engaged, how can you expect them to build positive relationships with customers? Have you noticed any companies that excel at employee engagement? I think their success lies in treating employees as the first priority.