Measuring Relational Success

For me, measuring relational success at a high level is simple but would require a tremendous amount of time to list all the specifics detailing the who, how, and why behind it all. In fact, the examples I’ve provided to this point through each aspect of our look at leveraging leadership growth have barely scratched the surface. I’m extremely thankful for my upbringing; where I came from and the experiences I had along the way - even the ones I likely wouldn’t have survived except for the grace of God. Through all that, I can point to numerous specific events, none of which were necessarily monumental at the time, each of which playing a crucial role in the direction my journey went. There are hundreds of relationships that have fed into that, be it for a short season or through mentorship that’s continued for decades. And some of the most brief and unsuspecting interactions simply opened the door to other relationships that have been instrumental since.

I could go on with specifics for days; it ain’t about me though! I only share this idea briefly so you can get a grasp on the role relational leadership can play in building (and measuring) your relational success, assuming you’re willing to consistently integrate humility into the structure. Having worked through ten practical ways we can draw ongoing strength from our professional relationships, I’m sharing this framework to serve as a tool that can tie it all together simply and allow you to evaluate your progress along the way.

With so many of the stories I’ve shared in mind, which personal interactions can you point to that have been pivotal in your leadership journey? Can you think of a specific individual who altered your course; someone, who had you not met them in the exact time and place you did, you may have never given a second thought to? These interactions are often inconsequential at the time, but the ripple effects genuinely change the paths we follow. What event comes to mind, that had it not happened, you could likely be in a very different place - personally and professionally? While we’d all like to look back on major achievements or milestones, some of the most impactful I could share just happen to be ones that were nothing short of miserable at the time. In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill shared that, “Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.” Not only do we need to identify those seeds, we need to do everything in our power to make them grow.

As you pause to measure the relational success you’ve had so far, think about how different your journey could have been without some of those most critical moments. And be sure to use this look back at where you’ve come from to set at least one success metric you can work to achieve through your relationships in the weeks ahead. One thing I can share is that each of our paths will continue to change. In closing Leading With A Clear Purpose, I explained how much the purpose that gets me out of bed each day has evolved over the years. The same holds true for our journey as we continue leveraging leadership growth over time. We’ll see an ongoing need for adapting this relational framework based on where we are at any given time, so we’ll dig into that next.