15 Years of Relationships
Dear Valued Partners,
2017 marks Horizon Leadership’s 15th year in business!
I recently ran into a fellow business owner who was coincidentally wearing a jacket with a logo on it celebrating her 15th year in business. It read “15 years of excellence.” I considered shamelessly stealing that tag line; however it just wasn’t working for me. I kept thinking about it and wondering what was holding me back from using that as our celebration tag line too. It’s certainly true, relevant, to the point and positively phrased—what’s my hang up? And then it dawned on me! While we clearly have been fortunate to provide 15 years of excellence, it has been our focus on building relationships that has allowed us to achieve success with our clients, partners and employees.
Therefore, this year we are celebrating 15 years of relationships!
I have heard others say that business relationships are tricky and are best built and conducted differently than personal relationships. In fact I have been counseled many times over the past 15 years by well meaning, business minded people to “watch your back”, “don’t get too close”, “protect yourself”, “don’t trust anyone”. On the occasions that I have been hurt or disappointed by others professionally, the common coaching I have received typically sounds something like: “It’s business Cindy, do what is best for Horizon Leadership!” Fortunately, that is not the way we have gone about building relationships for the first 15 years here at Horizon Leadership.
One of the definitions of the word relationship is “the way in which two or more concepts, objects or people are connected, or the stat of being connected.” For many, successfully connecting with others personally and professionally is critical. It is frankly what sustains me. At Horizon Leadership, we believe that connections and relationships come from continually demonstrating the following 4 attributes:
Trust - we have each other’s back. One of the most important things to me is that you trust me as the leader; you trust everyone associated with Horizon Leadership, and we trust each other. We trust each other to do what we say we will, to be hones and ethical, and to always have each other’s best interest in mind.
Authenticity - we know each other’s true selves. You are confident that what you see from us represents our true nature and beliefs. You find us to be genuine. We are genuine with each other.
Kindness - the filter by which we make decisions. Frankly, if I had to pick one word that I would want someone to use to describe me personally after I am gone, it would be “kind.” Kindness takes strength, self-esteem and discipline. We try very hard to test our decisions against the question “is it the kind thing to do?”
In 2002, after many prayerful days and nights (should I really do this?…), I left a wonderful position at General Electric to launch Horizon Leadership, Inc. I vividly remember our very first week in business sitting in a planning meeting, with my one and only employee at the time, staring at a blank flip chart page (I still never go anywhere without a blank flip chart page) wondering what the future of Horizon Leadership would hold. Today, I honestly have no idea what we ended up writing on that flip chart, but I now know what the future held - the gift of many wonderful clients, partners and employees that have allowed us to connect and build relationships together for the past 15 years. I am truly grateful for everyone that has trusted Horizon Leadership to partner with you to drive mutual success. I don’t take it lightly, and I thank you. I look forward to many more years of connected excellence with you.
Thanks you.
Cindy Larkin
President - Horizon Leadership, Inc.
