The second episode of the ‘Rest is Classified’ was about the CIA’s coup in Iran.
Kermit Roosevelt needed to know local ethnic groups to overthrow the current PM.
To have had a chance to assert the CIA’s and MI6’s interests in Iran, they needed to know the right people.
They needed to use their networks to their advantage.
A key foundation of success – who they knew.
Let’s take the familiar quote – ‘It’s not what you know, but who you know.’ I challenge you to take a look at its deeper meaning.
Relationships are all around us and they influence how we act and who we are.
The oldest psychological debate: ‘Nature versus Nurture’ is from one premise. The connections we have and how they influence us are the biggest factor in us becoming the person we are today.
So how does this link to us?
For every goal that we set out, there is someone who has completed a similar goal. For every pathway that we embark on, someone is doing something similar.
Everyone has shared experiences.
This is not to say that your goals and pathways should be so unique that no one else can understand them. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Do some research and find some pathways that have proved to be successful.
Why?
Because you have a base to work off. Relationships are this base.
Take me. My goal was to build muscle and so I invested in a coach. My coach also happened to be my brother’s close friend.
If it wasn’t for this relationship, my journey would be incomplete.
So the quality of relationships you hold is a determining factor in the chance of success. Why?
Because if they are strong, then you have a bank of knowledge to help you.
So how does this help us?
We need to be looking to either develop or build good-quality relationships.
We don’t need everyone on Earth to be our friend nor do we want to be a loner.
We need a good group of people around us who provide us with nurturing and constant stimulation.
There are four types of people to know:
- Knowledge Holders
- Door Openers
- Truth Tellers
- Supporters
Each has its benefit to you and you to them.
- Knowledge Holders have an immense wealth of expertise so they can educate us on the topic.
- Door Openers can introduce us to new people. This leads to the network effect concept: one connection can lead to many.
- Truth Tellers provide us with invaluable feedback to help us grow.
- Supporters are always there for you and will be the first to lend a helping hand where they can whenever you need it.
So how do you reap the rewards of this?
Don’t think transactional, you are not getting to know people to use them. Have a genuine interest in people and their lives. Build that deep connection.
Only from that will you be able to learn from them and maintain these relationships long-term.
Also, know your value. You have to bring something to the table. Do your research.
Trust me, the networking I did got me my job. If you take care of your relationships, I guarantee you they will come in clutch to take care of you.
So my challenge to you this week is this:
- Make a plan of looking to extend an outreach to one person every week.
- Do a weekly review of the relationships you hold dearest to you and see how you can develop them further.
- Every week when you try and make new friends/connections, have a follow-up plan.
These won’t take long but they will reap rewards for you.
Have a great week!
Dylan 🙂