Kathy Gunderson

An idea I can't stop thinking about... The 2 Pillars of Strong Relationships: 1. High Expectations: The belief that the other person is capable of excellence, that their potential is only limited by their own views. 2. High Support: The ability and willingness to provide the love, support, and engagement to help the person meet those high expectations. Here's why the combination is so important: High Expectations without High Support is a recipe for disaster. We've all faced a relationship like this, where the person seems to want more from us but does not seem willing to share in the burden of reaching that more. High Support without High Expectations is a recipe for mediocrity. It allows self-limiting beliefs to perpetuate, it says that you're fine where you are today, that growth is unnecessary. It is the pairing of the two—High Expectations AND High Support—where strong relationships are found. Sir Isaac Newton once said, "If I have seen further than others, it is by standing upon the shoulders of giants." In a strong relationship, the person encourages you to think bigger—and offers up their shoulders so that you can see and reach those bigger things. This, to me, is the highest calling in our relationships: To create an environment of high expectations—of boundless potential—with those we love AND lend them our shoulders to stand and reach those expectations we have set. Here’s to all the people out there who are lifting up their parents, partners, children, and friends with high expectations and high support, with love, encouragement, honesty, and unrelenting positivity. I salute you—and I admire you.