WhatifWednesday
1+1=3 Relationships
Years before I met Rachel, I wrote down a list of things I was looking for in a spouse. One of them was that the relationship had to create magic. In my mind, the magic is created in the transformative relationship where the sum is greater than the individual parts. The pieces fit together in such a complementary way that unrealized energy releases to elevate both people and create potential that didn’t exist individually. Ultimately, I wrote the formula 1+1=3 as a prerequisite.
I got my grubby little hands on a pre-release copy of Shawn Achor’s new book, “Big Potential.” He beautifully articulates, backed by science, that we should always be trying to create something greater than ourselves. Through Big Data, we can now understand much more complex relationships. Research now shows that our potential collectively is greater than the individual parts – when the fit is right. It’s why the team with the best talent doesn’t always win over the team that plays well together. Work for the fit not just the talent.
Shawn puts a name to an idea contained in the sixth principle of my book – make relationships work. It is simply not enough to have the best vision, the best approach or the best skills. These are small potential – or potential limited by individual talent and effort. Instead, you must continually develop and invest in your relationships to unlock the big potential that exists not only for you, but in your ecosystem of your relationships.
Think about it: Who is on your Personal Board of Directors? Who is challenging you, elevating you and transforming your life? Who are you challenging, elevating and transforming? Making relationships work is bi-directional.
What if all of your relationships created magic so that 1+1 = 3?
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