Posted by Howe Q. Wallace on Wednesday, July 14th, 2021
Henry Cloud uses a powerful image of a boat’s wake to describe a way to evaluate how we conduct life.
On one side, the wake represents “relationships.” On the other side, the wake represents “results.”
A quote attributed to many is: “We are the sum total of our relationships.” Many of the defining events in our life are defined by a relationship. Someone taught us. Coached us. Loved us. Forgave us. Saw some potential in us. Trusted us. Encouraged us. Gave us a chance. Gave us a second chance. Fired us when we deserved firing.
We’ve had relationships that were momentary and others that endured for a lifetime. The more I reflect on the life-changing nature of my relationships, the deeper and wider the wake.
The “results” wake is a matter of intention. Jimmy Wilson sent me a quote today: “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier
If you start every day with the intention of using your time, talent, and resources to benefit those you impact, you accumulate a record of results. A purposeful life marked by day after day of making a difference mounts up.
A swift-moving boat elegantly slicing through the water makes a nice wake. Hope yours is mounting to one which satisfies you.
Since 2005, he has been sharing his thoughts on the organization, leadership, and communication in an online daily note to teammates called Daily with HQ.