Thursday Thoughts... Interconnected Impact

Yesterday, I had the good fortune of being invited to Google’s announcement in Pryor, OK because of my work partnering with others on environmental impact mitigation for their data centers. During the event, they announced $9 billion in new investment over the next two years to expand the Pryor data center and build a new one in Stillwater. Alongside that came grants for education and electrical worker apprenticeships, free access to Google’s AI Pro Plan for every student at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, and more.

Governor Kevin Stitt talked about Oklahoma’s pro-business climate, energy and education resources, and the work that’s gone into building this partnership. The mayors of Pryor and Stillwater spoke about the jobs, school funding, and community impact. There were obviously people from Oklahoma, but others from Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, California, and more. You could see the ripple effects across the room.

The numbers were huge, as they should be when Google is involved, but my mind kept going to the idea of interconnectedness. How each role, contribution, and relationship creates opportunity when we embrace our part and cheer others on.

It made me think of Sterling, my small town. Of booster club sponsorships, youth team jerseys with local logos, and banks that take a calculated chance on a new business or first-time homebuyer. Of the pro-business efforts that helped KMW, Ltd commit hundreds of millions of dollars and nearly 250 new jobs to our community, and the previous investments of Jacam Catalyst, Hyatt Life Sciences, and more.

I thought of the wisdom passed through relationships. Like when Al Kruse, a kind and wise man, brought me the book Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy (inspired by Mark Twain) when I was a young business owner. He took time after work, in his own kitchen, to listen and pour into me.

I thought of people like James Silman of Home Lumber, who unlocked the store after hours to work alongside me to design and build the greenhouse that still stands in Kauffman Stadium, just because Courtney Shivers of the Kansas City Royals and I had an idea to bring fresh vegetables to the stadium and Urban Youth Academy.

Big or small, local or global, our work and impact are always more connected than we realize.

What you choose to do, today, this week, this year, can mean more than your realize. Things like buying a sponsorship, making an introduction, sharing your expertise, showing up for someone’s event might seem small in the moment, but those small acts have a way of multiplying.

That student you mentor could one day create jobs for hundreds. That new business you take a chance on could end up funding scholarships for decades. That idea you help bring to life could become a tradition that shapes a whole community.

Like not sitting in the shade of tree you planted, you may never see the full ripple effect of your investment, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Every time you lift someone else up, you set in motion opportunities that stretch far beyond your own circle.

That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge… Celebrate each other’s wins this week. Invest in someone else’s success. Offer your expertise, your network, or your encouragement, even if the benefit won’t flow directly back to you.

Because the truth is, it just might anyway. That’s how interconnectedness works.

I’m thankful you took the time to read this, for choosing to work, and for being part of what makes this world amazing.