Building a relationship in business or in your personal life always starts with one act.  The power of that act can have a ripple effect on one life, or on many.

Yesterday was an incredible day for me.  It started with a visit to a NAWBO-Chicago leads group that I started with a friend, Chris almost 3 years ago.  Many of the people in the group are there because I brought them in.  I do business with them and refer them.  I have touched their lives and they have touched mine.

I then met with Leslie.  Leslie touches the lives of many people that do NOT want or think they need her help.  Day after day she must help people and hopefully make an impact on their lives although they do not appreciate her service.  As we were talking, I thought of someone else who is in her field and I made an introduction to Cass.  These two dynamic people will touch each others lives.

    Last night I met with Mike Halbach.  In case you don’t remember who Mike is, several weeks ago I wrote a blog entry in regard to my dad, my children and I going up in a B-24 Bomber from WWII when it was in Chicago.  Michael read my blog and he contacted me saying that his dad, John was the pilot.  Michael and I had dinner last night and he shared with me pictures of our fathers, and memorabelia that he has collected over the years.  But most importantly, he shared memories that his dad had of the war.

My dad has always been quiet about the war.  He never shared with us the stories.  Last night I got to hear about a period in my dad’s life that I didn’t know about.  One of the most interesting stories was when the group was ordered out of Italy on a mission, apparently a Sergeant did not cover the gas tank on the B-24 before it took off, and John had to make a determination to turn back to base instead of staying with all the others.  As the pilot, John made the decision and took the consequences of a verbal lashing from the Commanding Officer on base.

But this one man, John Halbach, turned the plane around and saved my dad and his crew while the other planes on the mission were all shot down.  One man made a decision that has had an impact on many lives for many years.

Whether it is touching lives by bringing people together, or making a tough decision to saves lives, or as Larry did yesterday, offering to help someone by listening to them and making introductions, or smiling at a total stranger just because —- it always starts with one.

Are you making a difference in the world?