Resource Management Innovations

Letters from the Trench: A Relational ROI Strategy

As an old soldier I often find myself thinking about the investment our country has made in ‘the affairs of the world’. The portfolio of Minister of International Affairs or Secretary of State is and has been so instrumental in brokering peace and good governance all around the world. Sometimes peacemaking. Sometimes peacekeeping. It causes in me a deep sense of gratitude to and for those men and women who have gone before us that allows our current, desired state of ‘peace’ and the liberties it affords. It is a dividend on a very significant investment.

I am reminded as I open my mail on occasion when I receive a report on my investment portfolio, that the return on my investment (ROI) is marginal. It is about that time I produce some sort of involuntary guttural sound … as I just expected so much more. Why isn’t it more … I study. Well, it is proportional to my investment isn’t it?

The transferable lesson for us rears up in relationships too it seems. Gee, have a look at any book store New Release section … and once you get beyond diets and cooking (correlation?) there seems to be no end to the advice available on relationships. That is about when & where my thoughts turn to the ROI strategies of our soldiers, sailors and airmen. How critical the dividends of peace and good governance that they would put on the uniform, stand their post, hold fast and pay a debt that we can never fully return.

Which brings me to my relational ROI thoughts:

“I have no right to a dividend on an investment that I have not made”. Think about that. It rings in my ears like a universal truth. It works on so many levels:

- Internationally
- Federally
- Provincial, Municipal
- Yes, even interpersonal.
- Vocational
- Marital
- Fraternal
- Parental ... the list goes on.

How many times are we disappointed with a relational ROI … expecting so much more, that WE didn’t invest in?

As my Dad would say, its dirt simple. “I have no right to a relational dividend on an investment I have not made.”

How is your relational investment strategy working for you?

Cheers;

Rick @ RMI

Posted By: Rick Kneeshaw 2010/05/15
Categories: Reflections: Lessons Learned