Trust, Relationships, and Kids Are Not Our Hope

I hope you'll hang in for just a minute with this one. It touches on more than one aspect of business and life.

The past couple of weeks, as you may know, have been involved with supporting an executive transition. The blog posts haven't been as regular or even lengthy, as is often the case. Why?

Execution takes time. Thinking and writing about it takes time,too. But once you are in the middle of it, it requires a focus that keeps one in the "execution" zone and out of the "deep thought" zone. Hopefully, the preliminary deep thoughts are adding to a successful implementation.

It's 9 am EST on Saturday and I'm headed back to NYC. As one who writes about clarity, integrating your life around purpose, and living peacefully, why would I be headed back to the client office building on Saturday?

Trust, Relationships, and Kids Are Not Our Hope.

About 20 years ago, a group of executives at a client company asked if I would work with their college-aged kids on some career counseling and clarification. I did. It was very satisfying.

A few years later, another exec group at another client asked if I could coach their soon-to-graduate collegians on how to present themselves  effectively in interviews  and stand-up presentations. I did. It was very satisfying.

And that sort of thing has continued to happen over the years.

Retailers can give you a free product to show goodwill. Auto mechanics offer a free lube or oil change. What can consultants offer? Themselves, their time, and their expertise.

It is time-consuming and, depending upon the engagement, can be a bit emotionally consuming. So why do it?

Relationships and Trust go hand-in-hand. Consultants of all types operate at the will of their clients. It hadn't occurred to me until long after the first engagement of this sort that those execs saw me as someone who was willing to help for a deeper reason than money. (They kindly offered it--I turned it down).  If they could trust me with their kids they could trust me with their businesses. In each case, the client relationships lasted a very long time.

Why young people?

Because I don't believe that children are our future. I believe that our future lies with children who become healthy adults because they've been guided by healthy adults.

So I'm off to do some career counseling with a young person who is genuinely seeking it. I can't give away discount coupons or an oil change. Hopefully our time together will yield something meaningful for this young man.

Thought for Today: What have you been given that you could be giving away?

Somewhat related post: Check out George Reavis' offering at FrontLine Leadership Trends . It's a nice insight into how Proctor & Gamble are looking at relationships.

Comments

[peter vajda]

A heart-felt approach to life, Steve and thanks so much for taking the time to share your story. It really resonates with me.

I'm blessed with the ability to coach, inspire and teach; s/thing I've been doing in some way, shape or form ever since I can remember.

For the past years, I've been volunteering to tutor high school and college folks...and the beauty of it is that I can very subtly, and in integrity, build in life coaching during the process...in a way that brings some of these folks to a more conscious place where they move forward in their lives with their eyes wide open rather than eyes wide shut...being able to self-reflect, inquire inside, be curious about why they're on the planet...there are days when I'm tired and don't want to go...and on each of these days, I end up coming home with a new-found energy and vitality, without fail (the residuals of passion and commitment)...ever more appreciative that Spirit has given me the skills and abilities that support me to serve in this way. I share your notion of healthy, and conscious children.

[Steve Roesler]

Hello, Peter,

I suppose that this falls under the category of "pro-bono" for some professions and perhaps wouldn't be viewed by all as anything out of the ordinary. However, it does seem a bit different to me and, I dare so, for you, too. While some work professional is gratis it is also transactional--accounting, legal, and the like--but certainly gracious and much appreciated. The nature of our practice is a bit different and asks for a bit more relational investment. It also is in intangible that assumes a certain level of trust and faith that someone will be impacted in a way that will pay dividends at some later date.

As always, your timely and thoughtful comment is appreciated.

[Ed Brenegar]

I like to think that I work to be paid so I can afford to do the free stuff. Mentoring is a lost art, and I'm glad to see you are doing it. I hope others follow your example.

[steveroesler]

Thanks for checking in Ed.

I'm thinking that mentoring is really a lifestyle or approach to life. Never seen formal programs ever take off in the companies that I work with.

What's been your experience?