Weekly Connections with Brian Lafontaine July 27, 2025
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Many strong, lasting friendships are cultivated through business relationships. They surface and marinate. Sometimes resulting from working on projects together or mitigating crisis. Other times friendships manifest themselves from membership in civic/service organizations. They may be peers, employees, employers, or strategic partners, like vendors. Many business experts are “leaned in” to the need for making and keeping connections. They see this trait as valuable to get us through these “COVID-driven” times.
I am suggesting that my readers consider making this resolution, as one of theirs, as well … to never forget your friends!
A young man who had recently married was sitting on the patio with his father discussing the new changes that were now in his life.
As he talked about marriage responsibilities, job obligations and other adult concerns, the father thoughtfully sipped his glass of iced tea and cast a clear, sober look on his son.
“Never forget your friends,” he advised, “they will become more important as you get older.”
Regardless of how much you love your family and any children you might have — you will always need friends. Remember them and do activities with them whenever possible, and call them …”
“What strange advice!” thought the young man. “I just entered the married world; I am an adult and surely my wife and the family will be everything I need to make sense of my life.”
Yet he obeyed his father; he kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about. In as much as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a person, friends were the bulwarks of his life.
Friends will be there for you when you need them and will always intervene for you. Friends will wait for you with open arms and will be an untold blessing in your life.
When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need each other.
Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends, dialogue with them but do not impose your criteria.
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Alan Adler coaches individuals and successful high-performing business leaders to help accelerate their personal and professional growth. In addition to one-on-one coaching, Alan hosts noncompetitive, confidential, business-owner mentor advisory groups. Click here to schedule a meeting with him. As an entrepreneur, he has started three businesses, including his current, Alan Adler & Associates, LLC. His experience also includes working in marketing communication roles, (with senior management) at two of the largest corporations in the world. You can find his books, Getting the Fish to Swim to YOU & Keeping Them in YOUR Boat, and UpStream, on Amazon. Alan lives in Huntersville, NC with his wife Mindy. They have two grown children, two grandchildren, and a rescue dog named Bentley.
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