I’ve been doing my #FollowFriday series for about a year and a half, and I’m seeking an outlet for the amazing advice I’ve received and the stories I’ve heard. (I still don’t know what that outlet is, but I’m open to ideas!)
The one thing I’ve heard from EVERY. 👏 SINGLE. 👏 WOMAN. 👏 I’ve talked to is this:
There is nothing more important than the relationships you cultivate throughout your career. Treat them well and they will treat you well in return.
I feel like a broken record when I give this advice to people. “Thank you, Captain Obvious!” I expect them to think.
But here’s the thing: This statement bears repeating. Over, and over, and over again. Because as important as relationship are, they are also the easiest thing to take for granted.
This really hit home when my father passed away in 2017. When I looked around the room at the viewing and again at his funeral, I saw a sea of people my father had influenced, connected with, mentored, and befriended over a lifetime. People he served with in the army. Children of friends he counseled as they prepared for college. Men and women who served beside him in the government. Friends he made at every step along the way.
That is when it truly hit home for me: the only thing you leave behind is the impact you make on the people you connect with throughout your life. Money comes and goes. Tangible things wear out. But people will remember your friendship. Your advice. Your humor.
As Maya Angelou said, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
So call me Captain Obvious as much as you want but here’s today’s friendly reminder that there is nothing more important than relationships.
