Friends of Dave #124: I'll Be There For You
It's simple: if you want to get ahead, you gotta have Friends.
Another crazy week, Friends, but I wanted to brief touch on a topic that came up several times on a number of levels this week: that is networking.
I know I've touched on the topic here and well as in previous editions of this newsletter -- hell, the newsletter is called "Friends of Dave" because it is a key component to my ability to stay connected with each of you. So as you can see, I am already a big proponent, devotee and practitioner of it.
Good networking takes time and thought. It's not just having a LinkedIn profile where you occasionally post updates that amount to "Hey everyone, I'm here!" And it certainly cannot kick into motion when you find yourself needing something. In order to pay dividends, networking has be organic and a part of how you regularly operate on a daily basis.
That said, I was reminded throughout the week about how powerful and valuable a solid network can be. Make no mistake, this isn't measured by the quantity of connections you have on LinkedIn or other social media. I will argue you could be anointed an "Influencer" or "Verified" on a platform with thousands of followers and still have a shitty network.
The ultimate value of your network is a function of how deeply connected and engaged you are on a personal and professional level with each person you have come across in your career and your life.
Think about it. In order to become a stakeholder in someone's success, it requires some sort of investment (financial, emotional, professional) -- both giving and taking over an extended period of time, sometimes without any return. You have to be okay with this if you really want to build valuable connections with people.
But then a day will come where it all comes together and you see the appreciation of that investment. It will not come in the form of a "like" or a "retweet" or a comment to something you post. Valuable networks open the doors, make the introductions, answer the calls, get the jobs, make the recommendations and close the deals that ultimately lead to your success. Like any good investment, if you are lucky, they may also gain exponential value by spawning additional close connections as well.
So no matter how painful or exhausting or fruitless it may seem, pay regular attention to the value of your network. Appreciate and be grateful for the connections you have established. Be proactive in deepening those connections even when it may not immediately benefit you. Recognize that these are the people who will contribute in ways big and small to you getting to where you want to go when you need to get there.
These are your Friends after all -- there for you when you feel like you are stuck in second gear and there for you when it hasn't been your day, your week, your month, or even your year....They are there for you because you're there for them too....
If this all resonated with you, you might like the story in the Last Word this week. Interestingly, it happened to pop on my radar independent from my conversations and observations about networking this week and thought it was too serendipitous not to include it.
Finally, shout out to all my favorite Mothers this weekend: Nature, Hubbard, ships, boards, of Invention, of the brides, of the grooms and what not....And, of course, the Mom's that are also Friends....you know who you are.....Enjoy your day!
XOXO
Dave
Think on These...
What Do You Do When Someone Else is Talking?
“Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.”
Quick read and an excellent reminder about the power of active listening.
Tapping into Empathy-Driven Product Development
Empathy can easily be viewed as a technical skill, and product developers should leverage this powerful tool in their practice to ensure better customer experiences. WARNING: this is a bit of a longer read, but an important one for those of you concerned about customer success in addition to the technical aspects of product engineering and development.
A Few For Your Day Job...
The worst team-building exercises in history
Team-building is a $46B-a-year business — but these exercises don't always go according to plan. Here are 5 sad (read: funny) but true tales of team-building gone awry.
Why hiring the ‘best’ people produces the least creative results It’s tempting to think that hiring the ‘best’ individuals creates ideal teams, but this isn’t how to get things done
‘Smart cities’ contemplate turning big data into big money As cities accumulate more data than ever before, questions emerge of whether they should charge third-party developers who want to use it.
Of Course, Your Weekly Dose of Randomness...
Butter: The Epic Backstory Of A Beloved Spread
From its origins as a happy accident 10,000 years ago, to its role as the centerpiece of a school "rebellion," the tabletop staple has had quite a life.
Great-grandmother spends 12 hours in jail after sneaking cannabis oil to Disney World
Rumor has it authorities were tipped off when she was spotted on the "It's a Small World" ride eating 3 large turkey legs at one time....
When Apple patented a pizza box
No confirmation that it was part of a promotion where they planned to offer pizza for $29/month for 3 years and give you a free phone...
Professional Women Are Using Backpacks Instead of Purses
What's next? Women running Fortune 500 companies?????
And The Last Word....
Your Network Determines Success More than You Realize — medium.com
You still need talent to succeed, but a lot of people are talented. Your network helps you break out by giving you a chance.
This is a bit of a long read, but an important one. It is absolutely true: whether it is the fellow alums from your alma mater, the colleagues you meet along your career journey, or the person you spent some time chatting with on a flight, your connections can produce a meaningful flywheel effect to your trajectory. Worth the time.