Extending Influence and Goodwill
The longer I live the more I realize a big part of life is about relationships. If relationships are a big part of life, they are a big part of business. We all know that. But my point today is that relationships are not just something that we have or flop into by virtue of our jobs or group associations. They are to be made, built and cultivated. How? The first step is connecting the people we know, love (oh dear...did he actually use the word LOVE in the context of business? Is he nuts?!) and respect with others we know, love and respect.
Last week I finished grad school. At first I thought that getting a masters degree was not a big deal. But, the people who love and like me most disagreed. They thought it was a major and meaningful milestone that needed to be celebrated. So, my father, sister and lifetime friend came into town for graduation and filled the week with special events, big and small. A good friend in Poway threw a big party and allowed me to invite whomever I wanted. The party was intimate and fun and made me feel proud to have so many generous and loving people in my life.
Last weekend I visited two Swedish friends in LA. It turns out one of them is doing great work in the area of youth education throughout the European Union. One of my friends at the party works with the refugee communitee here in San Diego. A grad school classmate is interested in teaching leadership and life skills to at-risk youth in the United States. Yet another is tinkering with the idea of leadership education programs for primary schools in Los Angeles. So, while visiting with the Swedes, I offered to connect the bunch of them in whatever ways I could.
See, I live by a simple mantra now. Good people should meet good people. Whenever possible I create connections between the amazing people I know who do not yet know each other. There is nothing so generous as helping another person achieve their goals and dreams.
Tim Sanders, former Chief Technology Officer and Leadership Coach at Yahoo! says that sometimes it is love not money that makes the world go 'round. Connecting good people with good people is an act of generosity and generosity is an act of love...and love is good business.
The two most supportive behaviors as perceived by others are listening and facilitating problem solving. If you listen well enough you will know what people are working on and what they need to take the next step or two. You don't need to know every little detail. You just need to have a generous heart and either a cell phone or email.
The upside for you is that by connecting good people with good people you will extend your own influence. And sure as rain in Seattle, the goodwill you extend to others by connecting others and helping them succeed will flow back to you somewhere down the road. Even if it appears not to, connecting good people with good people is a great way to go through life.
Last week I finished grad school. At first I thought that getting a masters degree was not a big deal. But, the people who love and like me most disagreed. They thought it was a major and meaningful milestone that needed to be celebrated. So, my father, sister and lifetime friend came into town for graduation and filled the week with special events, big and small. A good friend in Poway threw a big party and allowed me to invite whomever I wanted. The party was intimate and fun and made me feel proud to have so many generous and loving people in my life.
Last weekend I visited two Swedish friends in LA. It turns out one of them is doing great work in the area of youth education throughout the European Union. One of my friends at the party works with the refugee communitee here in San Diego. A grad school classmate is interested in teaching leadership and life skills to at-risk youth in the United States. Yet another is tinkering with the idea of leadership education programs for primary schools in Los Angeles. So, while visiting with the Swedes, I offered to connect the bunch of them in whatever ways I could.
See, I live by a simple mantra now. Good people should meet good people. Whenever possible I create connections between the amazing people I know who do not yet know each other. There is nothing so generous as helping another person achieve their goals and dreams.
Tim Sanders, former Chief Technology Officer and Leadership Coach at Yahoo! says that sometimes it is love not money that makes the world go 'round. Connecting good people with good people is an act of generosity and generosity is an act of love...and love is good business.
The two most supportive behaviors as perceived by others are listening and facilitating problem solving. If you listen well enough you will know what people are working on and what they need to take the next step or two. You don't need to know every little detail. You just need to have a generous heart and either a cell phone or email.
The upside for you is that by connecting good people with good people you will extend your own influence. And sure as rain in Seattle, the goodwill you extend to others by connecting others and helping them succeed will flow back to you somewhere down the road. Even if it appears not to, connecting good people with good people is a great way to go through life.
