Several years ago, while listening to the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, I came across an episode where Stanley interviewed Glen Jackson on the topic of preeminence. As I trotted across campus engrossed in what I was hearing, a statement Jackson made resonated deeply as I pondered how to apply his concepts to the topic of customer service in an upcoming sport marketing class. Perhaps many other authors and speakers have made similar observations in the past, but for some reason as I passed by the Logos that day, Jackson’s comment spoke to me personally as a professor and as a Christ follower.

As Jackson explained the criteria for what makes a preeminent organization, he mentioned the criteria of relationship building which he defines in his book entitled Preeminence: What It Means and How to Sustain It as “the commitment to establishing and investing in relationships that genuinely matter to you.” Continuing in the interview and in the book, Jackson explains the difference between networking and relationship building emphasizing how one is short-term minded and how the other is long-term minded.

Sometimes in the discipline of sport management, college students are encouraged to focus on developing their network in order to find an “in” within a sport organization. Although this networking approach may prove to be fruitful in landing a position, students should be challenged to think beyond collecting a business card and contact information and towards considering the aspect that developing a relationship with this professional might be a more valuable approach. Rather than focusing on themselves, a student is invited to become others-centered and to inquire as to how they might serve this sport professional. Is there an opportunity for the student to volunteer at an upcoming event where the sport organization needs the manpower? Does the student offer a specific skill that the organization might find beneficial? Seeking to fulfill a need and then going above and beyond in providing that need lays the groundwork for developing relational equity.

For those desiring to flourish at life, consideration should be given to the relational equity they are currently creating. Russell Hylton defines relational equity as “a relationship in which time and emotional investment has been made that renders an increased value in which to draw.” Therefore, one is challenged not to just create a network of known individuals but to invest both time and attention into others while developing mutually-beneficial relationships. Sometimes it is only looking back that we are able to understand the significance that our relationships will have on who we have become both from a personal and a professional perspective.

Is there anyone in your life who might be ready for you to build some relational equity with them?

Please share any advice below that you have on creating relational equity for current college students and soon-to-be sport professionals.