Interpersonal Responsibility/Interpersonal Comm Ethics

The book explains that "interpersonal communication ethics differentiates itself from other forms of communication ethics by attentive concern for the relationship between persons (p. 119)." It goes on to explain that when the interaction no longer "nourishes" the relationship, that the interaction ought move on.

An idea brought up in the book that I really like is the idea of interpersonal responsibility. It explains how Ernest Boyer,  explained that a condition of student success is that student having significant people in his or her life who hope that the "young person is worthwhile and can and will succeed (p.126)." It is, as further explained in the same paragraph, about a key ingredient, which is the responsibility to the "other."

An example that I can apply this idea to in my own life is my relationship with my 17 year old nephew and his relationships with his other family members, teachers, and peers.

He is a very talented upright string bass player at the high school level.  He is in his high school's concert orchestra and an assortment of state level orchestras, no doubt of which was a direct result of his his hard work, dedication and practice. 

An element of the success in his life, as Ernest Boyer may argue, is that he has a load of significant interpersonal relationships with people who think he is worthy, and capable, of success encouraging him.

The fact that he has supportive parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles who positively reinforce his practice, help him financially (my parents paid for half of his new bass, my sister and brother in law gave up on him getting a job, my other sister and I throw him cash as we are able) help the matter. Having people important to him give him positive reinforcement undoubtedly strengthens his resolve to practice, work hard and get even better. It carries him through on long days when he is exhausted.

For those reasons, for having "others" who feel responsible to him, they are helping him be the best version of himself. His playing field is more level than another kid's who has less relationship advantages, and as such, his hard work goes further. He can get more out of it. He has relationships with people who feel responsible to him.

Have you been on on either side of this equation? Providing encouragement to the "other" to help them succeed, or gotten encouragement from someone to help you succeed? What was the relationship like? Did it help you/the other person in the end?