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Relationships are the safety net beneath our risks and the multipliers of our impact
by Drew Robbins
3 min read
Invest In Relationships
No one teaches you in school that the most important doors in your career are often opened by a conversation, not a resume.
No one teaches you in school that the most important doors in your career are often opened by a conversation, not a resume. Early in your journey, you might focus on building skills or chasing recognition, but it is the relationships you nurture, often with no clear outcome in mind, that quietly shape your future. Sometimes, it is a colleague who encourages you to take a leap, or a mentor who names a strength you could not see in yourself. Other times, it is a network of peers who catch you when plans fall apart and remind you what you are capable of.
Investing in relationships is not about collecting contacts or trading favors. It is about being present, listening longer, and helping others even when there is no obvious benefit. Those who build these connections, across teams, backgrounds, and experience, find not only support in times of risk but also discover new opportunities in the most unexpected places. Over time, these investments become the foundation for career resilience, creativity, and real satisfaction.
Intentional relationships are not a side project. They are part of the work and skill to be built and cherished. They support success and shape character. They challenge assumptions, surface blind spots, and expand the sense of what is possible when trust and generosity are present.
— When No One's Keeping Score
Who in your world could use more of your presence or support, with no agenda, right now?
Try This
Reach out to a colleague or acquaintance and offer genuine help, feedback, or encouragement, expecting nothing in return.
Notice What Happens
Watch for shifts in trust, energy, or unexpected opportunities that follow.
Share or Reflect
When has an intentional relationship changed your path or helped you take a risk?
Keep Going
The more you invest in relationships, the stronger your network and your impact becomes.
If this resonates, share with your network to help others rediscover the power of intentional relationships.
