Our Blog: where do you stand?

Fostering relationships that outlive you

By: Christi Dixon | 08/19/2008

We're often asked in our business if "building relationships" reaps ROI in the long term. I could give countless examples of how positive relationships can buoy companies during downturns, how Southwest Airlines has risen to the top of its industry by cultivating employee support, how journalists' ability to tell a compelling story can either lead to increased interest in a company or an absolutely smeared reputation. (A bit of warning before you watch this clip: it's not for the weak-stomached.)

This morning I was drawn to the story of Leroy Sievers, an National Public Radio blogger, decorated news correspondent and cancer patient. He died this past weekend. Candidly, I didn't follow his blog, My Cancer, while he was living. An avid NPR listener, I had simply popped onto NPR's web site to catch up on political news... and I'm forever touched by his words of strength, encouragement and, gulp, his own farewell.

Check out a recent comment, left today by one of his readers:

Leroy taught me that is not true, life is a gift and like every gift, each one is different, some people get a huge, brightly decorated box that may or may not contain something that they want. Others get a small box, packed inside with the one thing that they had wanted more than anything.

Leroy's box may not have been as large as some others, but it was packed, right to the end with all of the things that he loved.

We should understand that as humans we don't have the gift of life or death, all we have is what is contained within the box. Enjoy your gift to the fullest, no matter its size.

I now plan to read the blog backwards, keeping in mind that his words created an international community of support. It's compelling proof that relationships matter.

Posted in Reputation Management, Reputation Management