Nine things you can do to bring people
into your circle:
1. Spend time with them. Time is the new money, an investment
whose sincerity no one can mistake.
2. Listen to them. Listening is more than facing people and nodding
your head until it’s your turn to say something. Other people know
things you don’t know. If you pay close attention, you will find things
out that will amaze you.
3. Appreciate differentness. You need people you can trust who aren’t
afraid to disagree with you. Remember, you have no time for pussyfooting—
cut to the chase, even if it means getting trampled emotionally.
You will last a lot longer if you have at least one friend you can
count on for support—not a yes-person, but a you-person.
4. Thank them.We talk about win-win dealmaking. But thanking
does deeper. It means ritually acknowledging that they helped you,
and you are in their debt. If you really want to sweeten the deal, thank
them in front of other people. Genuine gratitude makes people feel
better than heroin. Fewer side effects, too.
5. Keep your ears open. You’ll be surprised at the good things that fly
in. After all, no leader leads alone. You can’t succeed if you spurn the
help and advice that others naturally provide.
6. Team up. Partner with peers, supervisors, and subordinates. Let
people know you are available to them. This induces “interpersonal
reciprocity”—it greases the skids.
7. Be direct. You won’t get help unless you ask for it.
8. Look for human gold in the mine. That is, find people in your
organization who have worked in your department in the past and
can provide input.
9. Join associations. People who do similar work naturally share
information and learn from one another, create bonds, and provide
help when asked.
into your circle:
1. Spend time with them. Time is the new money, an investment
whose sincerity no one can mistake.
2. Listen to them. Listening is more than facing people and nodding
your head until it’s your turn to say something. Other people know
things you don’t know. If you pay close attention, you will find things
out that will amaze you.
3. Appreciate differentness. You need people you can trust who aren’t
afraid to disagree with you. Remember, you have no time for pussyfooting—
cut to the chase, even if it means getting trampled emotionally.
You will last a lot longer if you have at least one friend you can
count on for support—not a yes-person, but a you-person.
4. Thank them.We talk about win-win dealmaking. But thanking
does deeper. It means ritually acknowledging that they helped you,
and you are in their debt. If you really want to sweeten the deal, thank
them in front of other people. Genuine gratitude makes people feel
better than heroin. Fewer side effects, too.
5. Keep your ears open. You’ll be surprised at the good things that fly
in. After all, no leader leads alone. You can’t succeed if you spurn the
help and advice that others naturally provide.
6. Team up. Partner with peers, supervisors, and subordinates. Let
people know you are available to them. This induces “interpersonal
reciprocity”—it greases the skids.
7. Be direct. You won’t get help unless you ask for it.
8. Look for human gold in the mine. That is, find people in your
organization who have worked in your department in the past and
can provide input.
9. Join associations. People who do similar work naturally share
information and learn from one another, create bonds, and provide
help when asked.