Business' Best Moments

We had some healthy personal feedback in both directions and left each other with some things to consider. It was everything a trusted, professional, healthy discussion should be. I, for one, left it better for the encounter.   

Vulnerability, trust, and passion are three key elements that are necessary for strong, useful relationships.

If any one of those is missing, it's like driving a car with half the spark plugs missing. It may still drive, but you'll get nowhere fast.  

"These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want." (Jude 1:16)

In the book of Jude, we are warned to look out for self-centered people who use their knowledge and relationships to simply deceive others for personal gain and promotion. These people aren't friends, and they aren't partners. They're snakes. They are the ones distracting you with their left hand while pulling out the knife with their right. The ones who are shaking your hand in a room full of people looking around for someone more important to talk to. The ones with a mouth full of flattery as long as you have something to offer them. Nothing is ever done right unless it’s their idea or gain. They continue to slither until they catch a heel from someone with the wisdom and courage to stomp them out.

Being the expert includes being an expert of who you surround yourself with and allow to influence your thinking. Find people with a passion to go somewhere good, a desire to take others with them, a track record of integrity, and people that you trust to be open and honest with. Those are teammates you can build around. And remember, to find those people, you must first be those people.

Life and business don't always have to be scheduled and scripted. Sometimes the best moments just happen when you surround yourself with the right people.