The Ripple Effect of Relational Leadership

I’ve benefited from great relationships more than I could have ever imagined. While I’m sure I don’t do it enough, I do make a point of periodically reaching out to several of the folks who have mentored me, thanking them for all that they’ve invested into my life. One that I’ve mentioned several times already usually blows me off, especially when I’m talking with him on the phone or in person. He downplays it by saying that he’s attempted to do the same thing for hundreds of others, I just applied what he shared where most didn’t. But had he gotten frustrated by those others and stopped before he met me, I have no doubt that my life would be wildly different today.

Over just the past few years, I’ve received a few similar comments from folks I’ve had the chance to mentor. One that stands out the most is a friend who occasionally calls and tells me that I’ll “never know this side of Heaven how many people I’m impacting.” That nearly always causes my allergies to act up. But like the mentor who brushes off my compliments, I usually do all I can to minimize anything I’ve done too. With that in mind, Mark Twain has been quoted as saying, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” I disagree! It’s been more than six months (as I write this) since I’ve spoken with that friend but it warms my heart every time I think about his words.

Thankfully, I have taken what my friend has shared with me to heart. Those words (and a solid system) have helped a guy barely graduated high school because he refused to read books or write papers, and quit signing up for college courses when that was back on the horizon, publish a monthly column in a newspaper since 2018 and a few Amazon #1 Best Sellers. I still don’t enjoy sitting down to read or write, but I know both are critical pieces in the ripple effect of relational leadership. I’ve been so blessed by the friends and mentors who have sown into my life, I feel a tremendous responsibility to do whatever I can to sow into the lives of whoever I can reach. While I’d prefer doing that one-on-one, the newspaper and magazine columns I’ve had the chance to do over the years reach people I’ll likely never interact with directly. And even though the books have stretched more than anything I’ve done, they’ve extended that reach in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Make no mistake, referencing columns or books isn’t to boast. It still blows my mind that anyone takes the time to read anything I put out. My point is that there’s no way I’d be doing any of it without the lessons I’ve learned through absolutely amazing relationships that have served as a powerful learning network. Moving forward, we’ll look at the critical role mentors can play in closing the gaps we each face. Regardless of how successful someone appears, you can rest assured that (many) others helped them get there. Remember, there’s no such thing as a self-made leader! Through what follows, I’ll work to share some specific lessons I’ve learned from the outstanding mentors in my life. Before that, though, I’ll challenge you to identify just one professional relationship you can work to strengthen right away.