I love working with, managing, and nurturing young individuals. As someone with a few miles on their feet, it is easy to spot those with high potential. The signs are out on full display, though the best often are the blindest to how far the path extends in front of them. When things come to their full maturity, it is fun to look back and reflect on the journey. As things breakdown, they sometimes do, you can see the warning signs coming into view and blossoming as in warning to those around them.
There are two signs that I look for. The first is a drive to open, brutally candid, and two way honesty. The second is a strong sense of relationship. The latter shows itself in distinct ways. Work commitments are always completed, albeit often a few hours or even a day late. The desire to honor the responsibility given to them is a personal one, rarely distant or to the company. People who win are looking for every weakness within, desperately wanting to erase their blemish and turn it into some new strength.
The challenge is that the signs are something that is very hard to teach or share. Young men and women seem to have the necessary set of values and priorities or they do not; often there are few that try to tread the middle ground. Schemers, hustlers, and short-cut artists quickly draw the weak in heart to themselves.
When I spend time with someone I am looking for those with good signs. Life is too short to spend your days with those looking to hurt those around them. In contrast, the time one spends in the company of good relationships is fun, peaceful, and nurturing. I find this is transcends work to every activity around me. Last night I sat with friends and shared part of the journey. We laughed, did a bit of work, and shared part of the steps together; God’s gift.
“God can’t stomach liars; he loves the company of those who keep their word.” (Proverbs 12.22)
