Spotting the Green Flags

So much of the conversation these days is about watching out for red flags. And while it’s important to protect yourself, I think we need to flip the script a little.

What if instead of only looking for what is wrong, we start celebrating what is right?

As my speaking season ramps up, I have started taking note of the green flags in the people I meet. The ones in the audience who come up after a talk, the people I chat with in passing, the event staff who quietly make everything run, and the organizers who pour so much into creating the experience. You can feel when someone shows up with genuine care, and it is a reminder that relationships are built in the small moments.

Here are a few green flags I have noticed in relationship-focused people:

💚 They follow up after the first meeting, because one interaction is not enough
💚 They remember details (your dog’s name, your big launch, your mom’s surgery)
💚 They celebrate your wins like they are their own
💚 They check in with no agenda
💚 They make you feel like a priority, not a transaction
💚 They lead with curiosity, not ego
💚 They show up consistently, not just when they need something
💚 They give without keeping score
💚 They talk about people more than numbers
💚 They care deeply about how they make people feel

I have been on the receiving end of both red flags and green ones. And the truth is, the people who made me feel seen, remembered, and valued are the ones who stand out years later.

The best part is that being a “green flag” person does not require big, flashy gestures. It is built in the small, daily deposits: sending the follow-up text, celebrating someone’s milestone, or checking in when there is no agenda attached.

If you are already one of these people, keep being you. The world needs more heart-led humans.

And if you are still working on becoming one, start small. You do not need to overhaul everything at once. Just pick one person today. Send them a thoughtful message, congratulate them, or ask how they are really doing.

Relationships are not built in a day. Relationships are built daily.

Cheering you on,
Barb 💞