The Value of Trust Compounds Over Time

Over the last few weeks I’ve had a similar conversation again and again.

It usually goes something like, “Wait, so and so is doing WHAT now?”

In catching up with old friends from different stages of life and getting the updates on their friends and communities I feel like I’ve come across some version of this moment so many times.

“Ya, he’s a senator now! I remember we used to play Mario Kart”

“Ya, he sold his company last year and is starting a really interesting new project.  Remember when he shared that half baked idea way back when?”

“Ya, she is leading this incredible climate project that is going to change the face of her city. Remember when we were interns together?”

You never know where people are going to end up.

Being a decent, honest person and building a solid reputation is a long game. I’m now in the stage of my life where I’m seeing the significance of that in a big way.

The way I treated colleagues or friends in college and in my early 20’s has a real impact on my life today.  Who I am connected to. Who trusts me. What opportunities come my way.

It was impossible to see at the time, but it is quite clear now.

Who are you in relationship with today?  How are you treating them?  What impression are you leaving on them?

20 years from now, will you be better off because of it?