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If you've ever questioned whether your circle matters, let me offer four moments that made it crystal clear for me.

Some built me up.
Some broke me down.

The good first.

A few years ago, I was on a major health journey. I'd lost 100 pounds in under a year.
I felt proud, but also stuck. Unsure of what was next.

Then a company exec heard my story and said,
"You should run a half marathon."

At the time, the longest I’d run was a 5K.
But he believed in me more than I believed in myself.

So I trained.
Pushed through the doubts.
And months later, I crossed that finish line.

Then I did it again.

Another moment?
A leader I once worked under taught me what real leadership looks like.

She led with heart.
She put people first.
She gave honest feedback with kindness.

And because of that, people gave her everything they had.
She didn’t just get results. She inspired them.

That lesson has shaped how I lead more than anything else.

But not every influence lifts you higher.

I had a boss once who micromanaged everything.
I second-guessed every decision.
Started questioning myself.

Even wondered if I should leave the company I’d loved for over a decade.
I felt small. Drained.

And then there was a “friend.”
The kind who only called when they needed something.

Always taking.
Never showing up when it mattered.

When I asked for help?
Suddenly, radio silence.

Success is contagious.
So is mediocrity.
So is burnout.

We tend to mirror the people closest to us—not just their habits, but their mindset, emotional baseline, and standards.

And the research backs it up:

📌 Just sitting next to a high performer at work can boost your output by 15%.

But sit next to a toxic one? Your performance drops just as fast.

This isn’t random. It’s biology.

Your brain is wired with mirror neurons. They light up when you watch others act or feel.

Add neuroplasticity, and it means this:

The people around you are literally rewiring your brain.

If you're surrounded by people who:

• Set high standards

• Think long-term

• Challenge you to grow,

that becomes your normal.

If you’re around drama, doubt, and distraction,
that becomes your default.

Even your emotions are contagious.

In a study by Christakis and Fowler, happiness (and ambition) spread through social networks like a ripple.

Proximity isn’t neutral.
It either reinforces your limits or expands them.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight.

But you do need to get intentional about your circle.

Start here:

Who do I spend the most time with?

Think broadly—family, coworkers, friends, mentors, gym buddies, Slack groups, church communities.

Then run this check:

Energy Amplifiers — Who helps you grow faster?

Ask:

• Who raises the standard just by being in the room?

• Who helps me think bigger, not just move faster?

• Who leaves me more focused, not more drained?

• Who makes me want to become a better version of myself?

Quiet Multipliers — Who makes growth feel safe?

Look for:

• Who believes in my potential without needing proof?

• Who shows up with calm, not chaos?

• Who gives without keeping score?

• Who reflects who I’m becoming, not who I used to be?

Hidden Drainers — Who quietly limits your growth?

Watch for:

• Who constantly needs managing, not mentoring?

• Who downplays your ideas or ambition?

• Who creates chaos or urgency that pulls you off track?

• Who pulls you back into old patterns?

Want to build a circle that actually fuels your growth? These picks are worth your time:

🧠 Building Healthy Relationships at Work 

A quick-hit LinkedIn Learning course on setting boundaries, building trust, and boosting the kind of energy that helps teams thrive.
Check out the course → 

🎥 The Hidden Influence of Social Networks (TED Talk)

A fascinating look at how your friends, coworkers, and even acquaintances shape your habits, mindset, and motivation.
Watch on TED → 

📚 Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect by Matthew D. Lieberman

This book breaks down why your brain is wired for connection and how the right relationships can rewire your potential.
Learn more about the book  →

A colleague believed in me, and I ran further than I ever imagined.
A leader cared deeply, and it changed how I lead today.

But I’ve also shrunk under micromanagement.
And stayed too long in one-sided friendships.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Growth is contagious—and so is complacency.

• Your environment is shaping your identity, even when you don’t realize it.

• You don’t need perfect people. Just more intentional ones.

Curating your circle isn’t selfish. It’s strategic.

Because who you’re around
is who you become.

Talk soon,
Justin

P.S. Forward this to someone who challenges you to grow. You probably just thought of them.