Why Relationships Matter

In my leadership courses, workshops, and coaching, I require people to read the “Corner Office” by Adam Bryant in the Sunday New York Times.  Bryant interviews CEOs and other senior leaders and I always learn something new or it reinforces something I believe and advocate.

I also am an avid reader of every word of the New York Times Style Section on Sundays.  While I like to see what is trending, I am more interested in the wedding and engagement section.  It is a hobby to read who is marrying whom, where did they go to college, where are they working now, and how did they meet.  The last part —how couples met —-seems to be a new addition within the last few years.

Included in the Styles Section is a weekly essay on “Modern Love.”  Since leadership is a relationship and the most important person to lead is yourself, Sunday, March 3rd had a very moving essay titled “You May Want to Marry My Husband” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  Since 50% of marriages end in divorce, this essay gives a person hope and makes one appreciate good relationships.  I know I feel lucky to have found my mate.  The more years of life experience I gain, the more I realize there is a lot of luck involved in finding a partner with whom to go through life.

Besides being lucky, I think people need to work at continuing to grow in new and different ways.  This requires people to be curious, seek to be interested in others, and in other things.  Since our circle of friends naturally tends to get smaller as we age (death, distance, retirements), we need to work at expanding our circle by joining groups, getting involved in activities, and meeting new people in whatever ways possible.

Amy Rosenthal, the author of the essay, asks questions and makes statements such as:

“Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?”

“I came to think of Plan “Be,” existing only in the present.”

“I tend to believe whatever you decide to look for you will find, whatever you beckon will eventually beckon you.”

Amy reminds us in so many ways that relationships matter. Watch this Ted Talk to know Amy Krouse Rosenthal.  What a legacy she created for her family and others using her gift of words, language, and creativity.

I hope you will read the essay.  The author, Amy, died Monday, March 13th, 2017.