Connection On

A message from Steve...

I’m at a stage in my career, and perhaps at an age in my career, where some of my dear friends from childhood, high school, and/or college have put in years of hard work and have advanced in their careers, to become leaders in their respective industries.

As a serial encourager, I love watching their success from afar, and I am so grateful to see these friends use their platform to positively impact others. When one of these cherished friends reaches out and invites me to share the Game On Nation message with their team/organization, it's truly a blessing. These invitations are occurring more often these past few years, and I’m so grateful when these opportunities arise.

One such opportunity occurred recently when I was invited by my dear from college, Dr. David Hahn, to deliver a workshop focusing on cultivating authentic connect for his team at Varian as part of their Medical Affairs retreat.

Since the moment David and I met as freshmen in college in 1988 - he with his philosophy and pre-med focus, and me with my theater/performance studies dreams - we were a tale of two cities, with mutual friends, encouragement, and care as our common denominator.

As leaders, teachers, coaches, presenters, it can be a challenge to stay connected with old friends as we navigate personal and professional demands, while living at the speed of life. As I face this reality while still wanting to maintain those “old school” connections, here are a few practical practices that have helped me along the way. My hope is you will find these reminders helpful as well.

1. Honor the long game
The people you grow up with, study alongside, or encourage early in life may one day become collaborators, clients, or champions of your work. Stay genuinely connected. Celebrate their wins, check in without an agenda, and be present long before there’s an opportunity attached. Relationships built on care tend to come full circle.

2. Let character be your calling card
Titles, resumes, and accolades open doors, but character keeps them open. The reason these opportunities feel so meaningful is because they’re rooted in trust, respect, and shared values developed over decades. Wherever you lead or serve, focus on how you show up, listen, encourage, and uplift others.

3. Seek alignment more than opportunity
As your career evolves, the most fulfilling invitations often come from alignment rather than ambition. When your purpose intersects with someone else’s platform, good stuff happens. Be intentional about where you invest your energy and look for moments where your message can genuinely serve the people in the room, not just advance your resume.

Over three decades after we first met, the philosophy/pre-med major and the theater/performance studies major joined forces as professionals. David is now VP and Chief Medical Officer for Varian Interventional Solutions, and he is so respected in his field. Beyond his incredible achievements as an interventional radiologist, businessman, and leader, anyone who knows David will attest to his character, intelligence, and overall care for others, which is what I value most.

Here’s to maintaining those life-long friendships, continuing that mutual respect, and doing our best, in the midst of it all, to keep that...connection on.

Game On.