Chapter 17

Dear Diary: Relationships Matter

01/28/26

I’ve always been a people person. I empathize deeply (sometimes probably to a fault) and yes, I’ve been called an over-sharer more than once. I don’t really see that as a flaw. I believe people want to be heard. They want to feel understood, validated, and safe enough to share who they really are. Those moments, when someone opens up, are where real connection lives. Once you move past surface-level interactions and truly know someone, something shifts. The relationship doesn’t just grow; it expands.

As humans, relationships are foundational. From the moment we’re born, connection is what helps us survive and thrive. As we grow, that need evolves. First into friendships, then into deeper bonds. Think about your childhood friends and how significant those relationships were (and maybe still are). As adults, that desire for connection often shows up in our search for a life partner or someone to build a family with. And when any of those relationships feel threatened, whether it’s with a parent, a friend, or a partner, it’s hard to think about anything else. I know for me, when a relationship feels off, it can throw my entire day. That emotional ripple effect spills into everything, making it difficult to focus until things feel mended again. Connection matters. Relationships matter.

With every step a relationship takes forward, trust is being built alongside it. Over time, that person becomes someone you feel safe going to whether you’re celebrating a win or navigating something heavy. And sometimes, trust shows up in the smallest ways. There’s something incredibly meaningful about when someone asks how your day is going and genuinely means it. Or when they follow up on something personal you shared days or even weeks ago. It’s a reminder that you were listened to, that you mattered enough to be remembered. Those moments might seem small, but they leave a lasting impact.

In the workplace, it can be easy to fall into autopilot: clock in, clock out, complete the task, move on to the next. Sometimes we forget there’s a whole person on the other side of that email, request, or deadline. As long as the job gets done, does anything else really matter? I’ve learned the answer is no, because it actually matters a lot.

In the financial services world, expertise and efficiency are critical, but they’re only part of the equation. Behind every transaction, application, and policy is a person managing pressure, expectations, and time constraints just like we are. That’s why relationship-building isn’t a “nice to have” or a soft skill in our field. It’s essential. It’s the foundation of a healthy, collaborative, and genuinely enjoyable work environment.
When strong relationships exist between financial advisors and their teams, everything works better. Communication flows more easily. Challenges are handled with more patience and creativity. People are more willing to collaborate, problem-solve, and extend grace because trust is already there. And in my experience, that trust makes all the difference.

written by: heather henckel