The value of your network, of your human connection, is much larger than you think. When there is something really important at stake, you must fully leverage it. The best part is that you only have to do two things: Ask for it and promise to do the same in return when asked.
I try to do this responsibly though because there is a risk of losing the power of connection. These are my golden rules, for what they are worth:
- I only ask my network for something when the stakes are high
- I try not to wait until I need to reach out. I try to be the network myself. I try to share without asking anything in return.
- I always try to give more than I ask for. Always.
There is one more: I try to be nice, be grateful, and be fun. We are here for the long haul.