The Power of Passing Encounters: Lessons from Those Who Change Us
- Guy Galon
- Sep 27
- 3 min read
We often think the most profound impact comes from those who stay with us for years: family, lifelong friends, and trusted colleagues. Yet sometimes, it’s the people who appear briefly, touch our lives, and then move on… who alter our path most profoundly.
Life constantly brings us new encounters. Our journey is full of temporary connections. In Customer Success, this is especially true: stakeholders, clients, global teammates - many stay only for a project, a role, or a chapter. And still, their fingerprints remain long after they’ve gone.
They arrive for a reason, often at the exact moment we need them.
And then, as suddenly as they came, they disappear.
But their purpose is undeniable:
To hand us a lesson
To awaken a hidden truth
To shift our perspective
To lift us when we stumble
To turn fear into courage
To prepare us for the next chapter
To close a circle we didn’t know was open
They may fade from our day-to-day lives, but their impact remains for years to come.
A Personal Exercise
Think of someone who entered your life for a short time yet left a deep impression.
What did you learn from them?
How did you feel in their presence?
What made them unforgettable?
What part of you did they awaken?
And if you could meet them again—what would you say?
My personal life-changing mentorship
More than a decade ago, I worked with a mentor for just three months. This was my first real experience of mentorship in business, an uncomfortable yet transformative one. The mentor challenged me to stop hiding, to claim my achievements, and to stand taller in front of leaders and customers.
His influence: He shifted how I handled tough conversations, showing me that knowledge alone isn’t enough; it must be paired with confidence.
How I felt: Often uncomfortable. In our first session, he criticized me sharply to test my resilience. It was my first “mirror,” an honest reflection of where I thrived and where I fell short.
Why he was unique: Nothing about his mentoring was traditional. He made me give speeches, role-play meetings, and even sing and dance. That unpredictability and distinctive style made the lessons stick.
What I learned: Expertise matters, but presence, confidence, and courage are what make impact stick.
What I’d say today: I would thank him for insisting on my growth, for refusing to let me compromise, for pushing me into the discomfort that changed my trajectory.
A Customer Success Encounter
In one engagement, I met a stakeholder who challenged me from the start—publicly dismissing my company’s credibility. Later, in one-on-one conversations, we reset our relationship. Over time, his approach taught me the art of building trust with customers, starting with patience and honest listening as a critical foundation for building trust. A year later, he approved the renewal and scope expansion with us.
His influence: He raised the bar for accountability. His expectations sharpened my performance.
How I felt: At first, I was worried he had a personal vendetta to complete. Later, we were both proud of the journey we shared.
Why he was unique: He was direct, consistent, and transparent—qualities rare and invaluable in vendor-client relationships.
What I learned: Listening with patience was key. Rebuilding trust meant addressing his earlier disappointments before presenting and promoting new value.
What I’d say today: I would invite him for a drink, catch up, and celebrate the good old successful days.
Closing Thought
Relationships rarely last forever.
But the influence of those who “pass by” often does.
The real question is: