My youngest son left for college last week, which provided an excellent opportunity for me to
sift through the many pearls of parental wisdom to share with him in that moment.
Reflecting on my own college experience and that of my older children, I settled on this piece of advice which is multi-dimensional and also has relevance as a leadership principle.
The pursuit of high-quality connections is as much about how we relate to people as with
whom.
The most meaningful and rewarding interpersonal linkages are characterized by mutual
respect, trust and positive engagement.
Humans are social animals, and research has shown that our happiness and well-being over the long term are influenced by the quality of our relationships.
While true in the context of people, there are other types of bonds that develop during our
college years (and beyond) which play a significant role in our satisfaction and fulfillment
throughout our lives, including how we interact with nature, community, spirituality, a course of study, our chosen profession, charitable pursuits, a particular city or region, etc.
So choose your connections wisely, since their impact on you can be long-lasting and profound.
