“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.” – Dale Carnegie
Being successful in business is about more than just having the right skills or knowledge—it’s also about building strong, meaningful relationships. When we talk about building a network, we’re not just talking about making a lot of connections. We’re talking about making the right connections. Each relationship is a potential opportunity for collaboration and growth for everyone involved.
Building relationships isn’t about making yourself look good—it’s about showing genuine interest in others. It’s about being respectful and finding common ground where everyone can benefit.
Take Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Group, for example. His success isn’t just due to his innovative ideas. A big part of his success comes from his ability to build meaningful relationships with people in and outside of his industry. He’s known for being a good listener and for valuing the power of working together with others. These strong, positive relationships have helped his business ventures succeed and grow.
Building a network is an important strategic move. It’s about connecting with people on a deeper level and working together to achieve common goals.
Action Step: Start a conversation with someone who shares your vision or can bring a new and valuable perspective to your work. Be open and curious in these interactions, and see them as opportunities for both of you to grow and succeed.
Building strong relationships is a way to create mutual respect and shared goals. It’s about working together to achieve more than we could alone.
To learn more about the power of networking, and the 11 principles for success, be sure to check out our book of the week: “A Paperboy’s Fable” by Deep Patel.