It’s beautifully written with an almost subtle depth to it that is unsuspecting until you’ve read it twice maybe even three times Will Definelty be reading more in the future so let’s connect !
Thank you, truly. That feels like one of the biggest compliments I have received yet. I love the phrasing of “subtle depth”. I don’t want to be one of those preaching people. I’d rather have readers discover their own meaning by themselves.
Thank you for sharing this. It's funny how much it stands out when somebody latches on to a thought we express without thinking. I find that those kind of thoughts are often more important than we think. Small things that add up, but seem small enough to mention offhand. Noticing those is a skill, and acting on them really shows understanding.
Us humans always look out for those big moments. The life-defining, career changing ones. We over-romanticize meaning. All the while we forget that for each of those big ones, there’s dozens of dozens of small things, most of them completely unknown and forgettable, that shape us and the people around us so much more than we think.
This got me on the line "you don't get the report." That's the part that stays with me — how much of what actually shapes people never loops back to you. You just have to keep saying the true thing and trust it lands somewhere. The chair detail bookending the piece was a quiet, well-earned touch.
Yeah, it definitely was and still is a very important lesson for me. Despite my deep embarrassment at that moment. There’s just so much we are giving to other people. So much information or love. Most of it, we - and maybe even them - don’t even recognize. And that’s totally fine.
Thank you for this beautiful essay. It made me wonder whether the lasting impact of our words depends not only on what we say, but also on the core beliefs the other person already holds about themselves. When you tell Marc, “Find a personal connection with every team member,” he hears encouragement to grow. But someone with a deeply rooted belief that they're inadequate might instead think, “So he believes I'm not good at connecting with people.” The same words, yet a completely different meaning....
This is a very new take. I wasn’t even aware. And the more I read yours the more I can see it. The same sentence, the same voice, the same delivery. And it sounds very different to different people. Thank you, truly, for reading and for adding your own take on this!
I like this line: “By the time someone looks ready to everyone, the difficult part of seeing them is already over.”
It’s very true. I have found it to be a particularly significant thing for the writers and artists I’ve worked with. It’s rare for people to be able to feel what they feel. They are working towards when they most need the support.
So there’s something very lonely about the early stages and then by the time people do see you it’s not really needed in the same way.
That’s exactly what made me feel sad when writing this. Although this was one of the rare positive examples where support happened at the right time, I kept wondering how often I had already missed it. You don’t get the memo afterwards about all the people and their situations in which they needed you most. And how often I just didn’t notice. At all.
Maybe Substack is putting that into perspective, at least a little bit. I just started and I have already seen so many people investing their time into reading new peoples content, into spending their time on commenting, on engaging and most notably supporting. And I will admit it has been tremendously motivating. Full circle, that is exactly what you did with your comment. Me seeing you, a stranger, think about a deeper meaning of a short article of mine. Maybe even taking something from it. That’s special. Thank you, truly.
Insightful read! Personal connections actually matters a lot in professional field, you never know when that connection can shape into something useful
It’s a comforting feeling to know how the little things we say or give advice on can have a long-lasting impact on another. A good read
Thank you! Never underestimate how often this small moments happen, despite us not noticing at all. So many footprints we leave behind.
It’s beautifully written with an almost subtle depth to it that is unsuspecting until you’ve read it twice maybe even three times Will Definelty be reading more in the future so let’s connect !
Thank you, truly. That feels like one of the biggest compliments I have received yet. I love the phrasing of “subtle depth”. I don’t want to be one of those preaching people. I’d rather have readers discover their own meaning by themselves.
I feel like we will get along nicely ;)
Thank you for sharing this. It's funny how much it stands out when somebody latches on to a thought we express without thinking. I find that those kind of thoughts are often more important than we think. Small things that add up, but seem small enough to mention offhand. Noticing those is a skill, and acting on them really shows understanding.
Us humans always look out for those big moments. The life-defining, career changing ones. We over-romanticize meaning. All the while we forget that for each of those big ones, there’s dozens of dozens of small things, most of them completely unknown and forgettable, that shape us and the people around us so much more than we think.
This got me on the line "you don't get the report." That's the part that stays with me — how much of what actually shapes people never loops back to you. You just have to keep saying the true thing and trust it lands somewhere. The chair detail bookending the piece was a quiet, well-earned touch.
Yeah, it definitely was and still is a very important lesson for me. Despite my deep embarrassment at that moment. There’s just so much we are giving to other people. So much information or love. Most of it, we - and maybe even them - don’t even recognize. And that’s totally fine.
I really enjoyed this!
Thank you, truly!
Thank you for this beautiful essay. It made me wonder whether the lasting impact of our words depends not only on what we say, but also on the core beliefs the other person already holds about themselves. When you tell Marc, “Find a personal connection with every team member,” he hears encouragement to grow. But someone with a deeply rooted belief that they're inadequate might instead think, “So he believes I'm not good at connecting with people.” The same words, yet a completely different meaning....
This is a very new take. I wasn’t even aware. And the more I read yours the more I can see it. The same sentence, the same voice, the same delivery. And it sounds very different to different people. Thank you, truly, for reading and for adding your own take on this!
I like this line: “By the time someone looks ready to everyone, the difficult part of seeing them is already over.”
It’s very true. I have found it to be a particularly significant thing for the writers and artists I’ve worked with. It’s rare for people to be able to feel what they feel. They are working towards when they most need the support.
So there’s something very lonely about the early stages and then by the time people do see you it’s not really needed in the same way.
That’s exactly what made me feel sad when writing this. Although this was one of the rare positive examples where support happened at the right time, I kept wondering how often I had already missed it. You don’t get the memo afterwards about all the people and their situations in which they needed you most. And how often I just didn’t notice. At all.
Maybe Substack is putting that into perspective, at least a little bit. I just started and I have already seen so many people investing their time into reading new peoples content, into spending their time on commenting, on engaging and most notably supporting. And I will admit it has been tremendously motivating. Full circle, that is exactly what you did with your comment. Me seeing you, a stranger, think about a deeper meaning of a short article of mine. Maybe even taking something from it. That’s special. Thank you, truly.
Insightful read! Personal connections actually matters a lot in professional field, you never know when that connection can shape into something useful
Eventually it always does. You might just not notice.
Thank you, truly. For reading and taking the time to comment.
loved this article. keep up the creativity!
Thank you, truly.
Such a thoughtful piece
Thank you, truly.
Personal connections. These matter. Seeing people. Really seeing them. I enjoyed reading this.
Very much appreciated, you spending your time. Thank you!
You're welcome. Thank you for sharing!
You have a gentle touch and while reading it reminded me of Raymond Carver. Nice perspective, thanks for sharing!
That's too kind, thank you. Never heard about Raymond Carver, need to check asap!
Beautifully observed - the quiet, ordinary acts of seeing someone often become the lessons that shape them.