Relationship Equity
Your Cornerstone Investment to Great Gains in Business and Life
by Richard Walker
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Pub Date Oct 10 2023 | Archive Date Nov 27 2023
Forbes Books | ForbesBooks
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Description
“Humanity is the core of our business.” — Richard Walker
As the CEO of a prominent IT consulting firm, York Solutions, Richard Walker has applied the principle of Relationship Equity to achieve tremendous business success as he builds the tech talent pool and helps professionals develop their careers. Walker describes Relationship Equity as the good faith you can build by investing in relationships faithfully and steadily, with no expectation of reaping a return.
In his new book, Relationship Equity: Your Cornerstone Investment to Great Gains in Business and Life, Walker takes his readers on a journey of discovery, examining a principle with the power to revolutionize both business and personal lives.
He explains that the relationships we forge with others are of supreme importance—and when you get those right, the rest will follow.
“If you are a friend who is genuine,” he writes, “you will have genuine friends—and lo and behold— they will want to help you just as you have helped them.”
Sounds simple? It’s not.
Relationship Equity has many nuances, and Walker explores them all in Relationship Equity. To share the story of how he developed the philosophy, he escorts his readers back to the small-town world of his youth in northern England, then onward to his corporate life at the helm of a thriving American tech company.
“In our families, our businesses, our communities, our world—we need one another,” Walker writes. “We are not islands unto ourselves.”
In his new book, Walker teaches us what he and his company are doing today to pay forward the many acts of kindness that have come his way through the years. Richard Walker has made it his business to change lives for the better, and his business reflects that.
Advance Praise
"If you have the good fortune to fall into Richard Walker’s orbit you first are caught in a whirlwind of charisma. Only later, slowly, do you realize the depth of his perception and selflessness. You will reconsider your closely held patterns of behavior. He will improve you as he has me and many others ― prince and pauper alike ― who flock to him for advice."
― Steven J. Kern, MD FACS
"The snazzy shoes, big smile, gregarious laugh, and welcoming arms are the epitome of Richard Walker; a true master of connecting others through selfless purpose and drive. I have watched Richard for over two decades build relationships where people feel truly valued, inspired to connect with other and give back to make the communities they come from a better place. What you see is what you get with Richard ― a genuine, charismatic leader who puts the value of a relationship before everything else. Our world is better because of Richard, and Relationship Equity is a masterful composition of doing just that."
―Kim Skanson, President, Cargill
"I have known Richard for over a decade, and he has been a great friend and mentor to me. He is also one of the most successful and generous leaders I have ever met. In Relationship Equity, he reveals the secret behind his remarkable achievements: building strong and lasting relationships with everyone he meets. This book is not only a fascinating story of his journey from bricklayer to CEO, but also a practical guide on how to create meaningful connections in life and business. If you want to learn from the best, read this book. You won't regret it."
―François Charette, Enterprise CTO, Optum
"Richard Walker has been one of the most influential people on the trajectory of my career, as he called out in Relationship Equity, he taught me the value of investing in my professional and personal network. Through our relationship, Richard helped guide me from being a middle manager to a c-level executive at a $20 billion public company. In the process, I learned that paying it forward, without expectation will give you more gratification in life than any professional achievement."
―Marc Kermisch, Chief digital and information officer, CNH Industrial
"Richard Walker is the real deal. Relationship Equity isn’t just a book, it’s how Richard approaches life. As a recipient of Richard’s relationship equity, I know firsthand the impact this has had on me and so many others. In Relationship Equity, Richard reveals the principles that propelled his success personally and professionally. From his humble beginnings to his successful career, his story can be your playbook."
― Mark W. Murphy, Executive vice president and chief information and digital officer, 3M
"As an executive, fellow immigrant, and life coach, Richard’s story truly resonated with me. Relationship Equity speaks volumes to those of us that value team collaboration and see its long-term ability to achieve great results. I thoroughly enjoyed the personal stories which at times had me laughing out loud. However, I have walked away with a deepening connection to the importance of continuing to build and foster relationships!
― Kelley Gurley, Ph.D, Global head of data digital technology portfolio and demand management, Takeda
"Richard is interested in every person. That is clear in your first interaction. He genuinely wants to know more about you, and then, how he can help you. He is a giver. He gives of his time, his talents, and he shares his valuable relationships. He is always looking to connect individuals and develop people to help everyone become the best they can be.
I have been the benefactor of Richard giving me one of the most precious items of his, no it is not Guinness or Jameson (although I have been the benefactor of those too), or his golf tips (of which I have received many), it is of his time. He has taken time to get to know me and to connect me to others whom he thought might be helpful with whatever I was addressing. In return, I have gladly given my time for introductions to help others and develop individuals at all levels in his network. I have found it incredibly rewarding to help him in the work he does for our youth and younger professionals.
He is a pebble in the ocean of relationships. He has no idea of the distance and size of the ripples he has created. They have crossed the ocean many times over. Thank you, Richard."
― John Naylor CEO, Medica
"The consummate relationship-builder, Richard Walker has built a career (and a life) through his innate ability to connect with others. His colorful personality, flashy wardrobe, and self-deprecating sense of humor may initially get your attention, but one soon discovers that beneath the surface lies a man of real substance. As authentic, humble, unselfish, and caring as they come, Richard epitomizes what it means to be a servant leader, and I’m thrilled Richard has chosen to share his insights and perspectives on relationship-building with us all."
― Jeff Tollefson, President and CEO, Minnesota Technology Association
"I'm guessing anyone who has met Richard would agree he is a bit different. Many people probably wonder if this guy is for real. Why does he want to help me? What is in it for him? Helping others is what gets him up in the morning. It is in his soul. I've always believed you reap the seeds you sow. What Richard brought to me and our company is the absolute belief and dedication that we need to invest in our relationships with our York team members and our IT community without regard to what the upside is for us. We must do it because helping others is the right thing to do.
Richard likes to say we do well by doing good. Truth is, he thrives on helping others succeed in life and business. More importantly, he is not just a good business partner, but is a great friend.
It would be an understatement to say we have had our ups and downs in business. But there is nobody I would rather take that ride with than Richard.
I have no doubt Relationship Equity will have a profound impact on those who read it."
― Bill Carr, Chairman of the Board, York Solutions
Featured Reviews
Darya Y, Reviewer
"The relationships we forge with others are of supreme importance. When you get those right, the rest follows."- this is one of the core messages for me from the book. This book is about relationships and how they can influence our lives and future. Networking in the right way, nurturing relationships can be supportive and beneficial for both sides. The book contains interesting stories that can help to reflect on life situations.
