There’s something magnetic about people who don’t just notice your success, but see the journey behind it.

Joel Goldberg is one of those people.

You might know him as the longtime television broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals, but his influence goes far beyond baseball. Joel is also a keynote speaker, podcast host, and author of “Small Ball Big Dreams.” His book, and his career, are centered around the power of persistence, people, and purpose.

And from the very beginning, Joel’s story has been rooted in relationships.

Back in 1994, fresh out of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Joel found himself navigating a competitive industry with no social media, no cell phones, and no job offers. So, he got scrappy.

He subscribed to a job hotline, sent out resume tapes (the literal VHS kind), and got rejection letters from every station he applied to. That’s when he pivoted away from job applications and toward relationships.

Joel started cold calling local TV stations, not to ask for a job, but to simply say hello. He’d say, “I know you don’t have any openings, but I’m going to be in town, can I stop by and introduce myself, maybe drop off a tape?”

It was low pressure. It was respectful. And most of all, it worked.

Nearly everyone said yes. And Joel followed through even though he never had plans to be in those towns. He drove hours just to deliver a tape in person, shake a hand, and say thank you. He wasn’t there to ask for anything beyond conversation. But by leading with humility and a genuine desire to learn, he made an impression. He knows that putting a face with the name and tape brought him to the top of the piles of applications.

And those impressions opened doors. One of those stations called with an offer. Then another. And another.

His relationships got him in the door.

And here’s what’s remarkable: Joel never stopped working that way. Thirty years later, he’s still the guy building real relationships by genuinely acknowledging others’ goals and showing up with encouragement. Not just applause after a win, but belief along the way.

That’s what we call strategic engagement.

How to Use This Future Belief as a Strategy

At The Expressory, we help leaders build loyalty and growth through intentional relationship-building. What most people struggle with is knowing how to make their outreach meaningful, not random.

That’s where The Expressory’s Six Strategic Storylines™ have helped us create engagement that lasts.

Each storyline is a way to frame your outreach around what you know about someone. It turns a gesture into a memory. It makes people feel seen, understood, and cared for, all the elements needed to build trust and deepen loyalty.

In Joel’s case, his superpower is what we call Goal Acknowledgment. He notices people’s aspirations, encourages them along the way, and celebrates their efforts as much as their achievements. Whether it’s a young athlete, a business leader, or someone just trying to get started, Joel has a way of saying, “I see where you’re going and I believe in you.”  In the case of the television producers, his actions were saying “I know this isn’t where you’re at now. And I also know that you want a relationship with the person you’re going to trust in this role, so I’m going to make myself available to that process.”

And that makes people stick around.

Whether it’s a rookie ballplayer adjusting to the spotlight or a young reporter trying to find their voice, Joel doesn’t start with critique. He starts with acknowledgment. He listens, he sees, and then he reflects back what he sees: “I know this new success is overwhelming and I see where you’re trying to go.” “You’re going to figure this out.” “I’ve been in those shoes.” “Keep going.”

His conversations aren’t about giving someone a break. They’re about showing them they belong.

That’s not just thoughtful. It’s strategic.

Apply Your Own Goal Acknowledgements

That’s great for professional athletes and media personalities, but can it apply to your business? Absolutely. And it should! Here are some simple actions you can take in your day to day operations to leverage these types of opportunities to strengthen relationships and open doors. 

1. Celebrate Progress Toward a Goal

Send a handwritten note or a small “keep going” gift like a candle labeled “On Fire” or a journal that says, “Ideas Worth Catching.” This lets the person know that you see their efforts and you’re there to support them.

2. Acknowledge Their Aspirations Publicly

Cheer them on in front of others. Emotional loyalty grows when people know you believe in their vision.

3. Use Timely Encouragement

Drop a message before a big event milestone that provides a motivational quote. Timely touchpoints matter.

4. Reflect Their Words Back to Them

“You said your big goal this year was to become more visible. This opportunity feels like a step in that direction.”  Again, you’re validating and supporting along the way. 

Why This Strategy Creates a Legacy

This isn’t a trick Joel picked up along the way. It’s how he’s built his entire career.

He’s known as the guy who shows up, not just with a microphone, but with curiosity and care. The guy who asks real questions, listens without an agenda, and notices what someone is working toward, even when they’re too humble to say it out loud.

Joel has built trust across locker rooms, boardrooms, and stages by being the one person who consistently sees people not for what they are now, but for what they aspire to become. And then he says it out loud. That acknowledgment? It’s fuel. It’s validation. It’s an accelerant that people use to accomplish what they set out to do. It provides a sense of belonging that every human needs at their core. And every time a person feels seen and heard, their mental wellbeing is improved for the better, potentially affecting the course of their life. 

This is one of the reasons people love working with him. It’s a legacy he is constantly creating with his actions.

And it’s a legacy any of us can start building, one conversation at a time.

Joel's Story Isn't About Fame. It's About Faith.

Faith in people. Faith in their potential. And the belief that if you just take time to see someone, really see them, they’ll remember it forever.

That’s what acknowledgment does.

You don’t need to be on TV to make someone feel seen. You just need to show up in a way that says: “I see where you’re headed. And I believe you’ll get there.”

5 Questions You Should be Asking After Reading

1. Who in your circle is working toward a big goal right now. 

Have you acknowledged it?

2. What’s one small way you could celebrate progress, not just results?

When will you reach out to the person?

3. Are your outreach efforts focused more on your business… or their journey?

Do you know what their overall goal is?

4. Which Strategic Storyline (like Goal Acknowledgment) are you using most? Which could use more love?

5. If someone asked your clients whether they felt seen by you, what would they say?

How could you test that?

Want Help Bringing This to Life?

If you’re not sure how to turn this inspiration into action, that’s what we’re here for. We’ll help you match the moment, the message, and the meaning so your next outreach doesn’t just land, it lasts.

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Let’s build something memorable, together.