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Don't let a good relationship go quiet

The Person on the Other Side of the Fence

You pull into a familiar property and give the owner a wave. You’re there to check the hives. They look busy too; you’ll stop for a proper catch-up next time.

But how many times have you told yourself that lately?

It is easy to visit someone’s property regularly without having much of a conversation. Not because you don’t care, but because you arrive with a job to do and another site to get to.

Over time, a relationship you once put effort into can become something you simply assume is fine.

You know your way in. The hives are where they’ve always been. Nobody has raised a problem.

But when did you last ask how things were going for them?

When every conversation becomes about your bees

Think back to when you first arranged to use the site. You probably spent some time getting to know the person, talking about the property and understanding how things would work.

Has that interest continued, or have your conversations gradually narrowed to whatever you need next?

You let them know you’re coming through. You discuss moving hives. You ask about access.

Those conversations matter. But they are all about your operation.

There’s nothing wrong with getting the business sorted. The risk is that, once the arrangement is established, you stop showing much interest in them.

You might still get along perfectly well, and this isn’t about assuming there’s a problem. It’s about not waiting for one before giving the relationship some attention.

Hunting Season vs. Mastery Season

When did you last ask about their side of things

When you cross paths, try starting with them rather than the bees.

“How’s things?”

It doesn’t need to be clever. It just needs a bit more attention than asking while you’re already climbing back into the truck.

Perhaps they’ve been meaning to mention work happening on an access track, or a change in who’s managing the property. Perhaps they’ve had a difficult week and would appreciate a yarn.

Or perhaps there’s nothing that needs sorting out. You’re simply catching up on what’s been happening in their life, or asking how something they mentioned last time turned out.

Not every conversation needs to uncover a problem or produce something useful for your business. Taking an interest only when you need information is still making the relationship about you!

And when they ask how the bees are doing, give them something more than a quick “good”. They may be interested in what’s happening with the hives on their place, even if they don’t know much about beekeeping.


Don’t let someone you used to stop and talk to become someone you only wave at.

Whether you’re dealing with the landowner or the farm manager, knowing someone for years is not a reason to stop making an effort.

That doesn’t mean finding them every time you visit or turning a working day into a social tour. They have things to get through, too.

It means not automatically driving past when there’s a natural opportunity to stop.

Losing a good site could mean finding another, changing your rounds and moving hives. But you shouldn’t need the prospect of losing it to take an interest in someone you’ve dealt with for years.

Next time you cross paths while checking the hives, take a moment to check how they’re getting on too. Ask, then give them time to answer.


Is there a good relationship you're taking for granted?