Every important relationship requires a strategic investment and when that investment is made in building authentic mentorship, whether we’re receiving it or giving it, the return will be exponential, especially when we’ve developed a high level of emotional intelligence. For more than three decades...
For any relationship to deliver a measurable return on investment, strategic investment will always be required. To take full advantage of the value we can recognize through strong mentorship relationships, it’s crucial that we practice a high degree of emotional intelligence as we make those invest...
Having just mentioned the manager I reported to for over a decade, and a few specific things he impressed upon me during that time, let’s look at a few more crucial lessons he mentored me on during that time. There are several passages in the Bible that caution us about overlooking the value we get ...
I rarely speak with a group at this point without referencing how blessed I’ve been through the relationships I now have with so many amazing people. Each time I share this, I’m intentional in detailing that the very best of these relationships came from strategic investments of time and energy, and...
Since we looked at the role of trust in candid conversations earlier and we just worked through how trust is crucial for solidifying any relationship we care about, let’s tie the two together to ensure each candid conversation we’re engaged in has a shot at fueling growth in the relationship as well...
In detailing the role of trust in candid conversations, I shared a quote from an article called “Good Leadership? It all starts with trust” saying, “Trust is one of the most vital forms of capital a leader has today.” Trust is crucial for our candid conversations, but it’s even more important in the...
Just in case you’re slow to catch on, like I am far too often, there’s no such thing as a self-made leader. The relationships we build, personally and professionally, are key to unlocking our potential. That said, we’ll need to be as intentional about maximizing the return on investment in relations...
For more than twenty-five years, I’ve experienced increasingly amazing opportunities by taking advantage of the often untapped power of honest feedback. As I learned to receive that feedback without losing any of the confidence I was working so hard to build, personal and professional growth followe...
More than twenty years ago, I learned what’s proven to be one of the most impactful lessons I’ve ever heard around communication from a friend who was a practicing veterinarian. He explained that he could kill my dog and as long as he told me the right way, I’d bring every other dog I ever owned bac...
Earlier, I mentioned the HR Manager I worked with for over a decade providing a great example of having the confidence to connect with others and build relationships through the process. Whether it was during his time managing the human resource department locally or after he accepted a role based o...
To have any hope of taking advantage of the untapped power of honest feedback, we absolutely must develop the skill set of accepting that feedback without justifying our existing performance or allowing the feedback to eat away at our confidence. I mentioned earlier how much it stung, especially ear...
I’m sure if we were having a conversation over coffee, we could list no less than a dozen reasons someone with leadership responsibility would avoid soliciting honest feedback. Before moving on, I’ll emphasize my intentionality for using the phrase “someone with leadership responsibility” rather tha...
