“Every Person and Every Interaction Matters” – Chicago with NMGZ

New to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Fall 2024, I have heard repeatedly from colleagues and campus leaders that, “every person and every interaction matters.” I learned that it was because it was the theme for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s strategic plan for 2025.

Every person matters, absolutely. But every interaction? I needed to think about that.

Then, a four-day trip to Chicago spotlighted exactly what “every interaction matters” meant, and how short-sighted I’ve long been to ways moments matter.

The National Millennial Gen Z (NMGZ) Community founded and nurtured by Bill Imada has been around for almost ten years now. The organization links generations through thoughtful conversations, professional development, workshops, and field trips. The organization is also a friend to universities via the invitations it offers to university faculty for research and development opportunities as well. It was through the university connections that Bill fostered that I was able to learn what NMGZ was. How did I learn about this? A couple of informal conversations with Dr. Tricia Hansen-Horn of the University of Central Missouri. Over an informal Zoom meeting one day, Tricia told me about what a lifeline NMGZ had been to her department and her students, connecting industry leaders to young talent. That one conversation led me to seek out this group, and what a delight that Bill said he had space for my university to join. One interaction each.

Fast forward to the kindness Bill extended to allow me to tag along on some of his planned Chicago activities as part of The Plank Center’s Milestones in Mentoring 2024 gala. Interactions popped up again and again that reminded me of the smallest moments from years ago that I was able to call upon.

We went to NBC 5 Chicago offices for a meeting with communications executives. News operations manager Greg Butler introduced himself before taking us on a tour of the production floor. Greg mentioned that he came to Chicago from Birmingham, Alabama. Wait, I came from Birmingham, Alabama! During the tour, Greg and I learned that we had several friends and colleagues in common, as well as a fondness for the Magic City. One interaction.

Later that day, we visited Public Communications, Inc. and learned about the power of public relations and good storytelling to assist purpose-driven organizations. I kept thinking that I had met their CEO, Jill Allread, APR, Fellow, PRSA before, but for the life of me I could not remember where. Then, it clicked. She had been one of the welcoming people at a conference I attended for a few hours on one day in Tokyo, Japan, this past summer. One interaction.

The next day, during the Milestones in Mentoring gala, “every interaction matters” was driven home in an impactful way. In every speech, public relations and communication leaders were praised in their award presentations that they were so impactful in their careers because they honored interactions. One particular speech that will be with me for life was the way award recipient Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Chief Networking Officer Jon Harris of Conagra was introduced. It was noted that he was so heavily invested in helping others make connections toward their career goals that he brought in his pharmacist’s daughter’s resume to see if he could help her. In my mind, I envisioned what that interaction must have been like. Making small talk and smiling with the pharmacist turning into, “how can I help?” Every interaction matters.

I am back in Nebraska with fond memories of meetings, professional development sessions and brainstorming, but the reality is that it is the tiny moments that are sticking with me. We talk about the power of “growing your network” a lot to young professionals and students, but that is a hard concept to put into motion unless it is seen in action. What exactly is networking, anyway? And here is the answer – interaction. From decades ago to a few months ago, moments in time I thought were not going to connect, connected. People I never knew I would meet again, I met. Common friends I did not know were in common, were discussed and reminisced. Wistful memories of small chats over any ordinary day became links to new people and new opportunities I could never have envisioned. It’s true. Every interaction matters.