Never Burn Bridges: The Power of Meaningful Connections in Leadership
"The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your relationships."
~ Tony Robbins
I can't recall the exact date, but I vividly remember staying late at the office one night in 2008 with my boss, awaiting a call with some Australian colleagues we had been introduced to. Our objective was to learn about a program they had implemented in their organization, like one we were planning to develop locally. It was during this encounter that I first met Scott—an individual who proved to be incredibly open, curious about our goals, and went above and beyond to provide the insights we sought. He generously shared a wealth of information that played a pivotal role in jumpstarting our own program.
Fast forward to March 2013, while working in Switzerland, I was on a market visit to Jakarta, excited to explore the city and meet with many friends I had made while working at our global headquarters. But the highlight was finally meeting Scott in person, five years after our initial introduction.
During this visit, Scott and I had some great conversations. He shared that he had been following my progress with our program and took the opportunity to discuss my future career aspirations. Little did I know, expressing my interest in pursuing opportunities in Southeast Asia would set the wheels in motion for Scott to make it happen.
Over the next two years, I had the privilege of working directly under Scott in Jakarta. I witnessed his passion, authenticity, unwavering drive for results, genuine care for people, and an extraordinary memory that surpassed anyone I had ever met. Scott mentored and supported me throughout this period, setting me up for success from day one. I marveled at his ability to manage a vast team spread across 17,000+ islands with confidence, care, and meticulous attention to detail.
This story provides a context for six essential leadership lessons on making meaningful connections and the importance of never burning bridges. These lessons are instrumental in shaping our approach to building and managing both professional and personal relationships.
Nurture Meaningful Relationships:
Cultivate meaningful connections with others, as you never know how they may lead to future opportunities, both personally and professionally. From my initial encounter with Scott to riding in the back of his Toyota Alphard five years later, I could never have anticipated the extraordinary impact it would have on my life.
Take a Long-Term Perspective:
Adopt a long-term perspective when building relationships, understanding that investing in genuine connections can yield benefits throughout your personal and professional journey. When meeting new individuals, consider the potential for lifelong friendships and treat everyone with genuine respect, as they may play pivotal roles in your life down the road.
Provide Support and Reciprocity:
Be willing to support and help others along their journey, as acts of kindness and support foster meaningful connections and lead to unexpected opportunities. Throughout my career, I have been blessed with supporters, and it has been equally important for me to be there for others. As a leader, one of my top priorities has always been helping my team members grow and achieve their goals, knowing that one day they may become my managers.
Be Collaborative and Cooperative:
Embrace collaboration and cooperation, recognizing that working well with others can lead to mutual success and open doors for future endeavors. From day one, Scott and the Australian team exemplified willingness to collaborate, selflessly contributing to the larger organizational goals. It is this spirit of collaboration and cooperation that distinguishes great leaders and builds exceptional teams.
Never burn bridges:
A recent incident involving a colleague of my friend who left their company on bad terms serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining grace and dignity. Despite the emotions involved, it's crucial to handle such situations with composure and respect. How we navigate challenging interactions and past relationships can have long-lasting effects, potentially impacting future opportunities. By choosing to rise above negativity, we create an environment that fosters collaboration and unexpected alliances, while safeguarding ourselves from potential harm.
Be Curious and Focus on Continuously Learning:
Embrace a mindset of continuous learning and curiosity, as every connection and interaction provide valuable insights and lessons for personal and professional development. I conclude with this lesson because it encapsulates the greatest takeaway. Each one of us is unique and interesting, and by remaining open to others, asking great questions, and fostering curiosity, we unlock tremendous opportunities to learn.
Closing Thoughts:
"Success about making a difference, building meaningful relationships, and leaving a positive impact on others."
~ Kurtis Graham
In closing, the story of my connection with Scott underscores the power of never burning bridges and making meaningful connections. These practices have a profound impact on our personal and professional lives. Let us embrace these lessons, forging relationships that enrich our journeys and propel us to greater success.
