Q: What single item is the most powerful possession of each and every "successful" individual, both personally and professionally?
A: Their Rolodex.
It might in fact be a Blackberry, or a PalmOne, or a plain, old-fashioned address book, but no matter what form it comes in, the list of people one can call on for advice, assistance, introductions, and personal favors is the most crucial predictor of long-term "success" in the human world.
Speaking of which, yesterday I added a new chapter to a relationship that has been in my own virtual "Rolodex" for a while now. Fellow blogger and Ho'ohana Community member Chris Bailey was in town for a conference this past week, and last night we met face to face for the first time for some light dinner and powerful conversation. For me at least, it felt like meeting an old friend.
Whatever connections you feel pulled toward, go for it! Explore them! I'm so grateful that Chris let me know he was coming into town and that he decided to spend an evening in conversation with me. So take the time to reach out to people. Get to know them. Let them know you'd like to spend time with them. It will be worth it - to both of you - I promise.
Comments (3)
What a fun time, spending it with an online friend, only face-to-face. So will you be sharing what you brilliant people discussed here soon? I can't wait to read about the cool stuff you shared.
If you're ever near Milwaukee, please look me up!
Posted by Phil Gerbyshak | April 9, 2006 9:29 PM
Posted on April 9, 2006 21:29
Isn't it amazing how quickly friendships can form and then substantially deepen in only a few hours of personal conversation? I'm still trying to wrap my mind around some of the ideas we kicked around. I feel like my worldview has been permanently altered by the dialogue we had on Saturday. Which is the immense power of human communication - once you come into contact with someone, you're fundamentally changed...kinda like quantum physics, eh?
Posted by Chris Bailey | April 10, 2006 5:38 PM
Posted on April 10, 2006 17:38
Phil - Wow, what did we talk about? Ok, that's a great question. I'll see whether or not I can encapsulate some of it in a post or two over the next few days. The conversation definitely had a life of its own! (If I'm ever in Milwaukee, I do promise to look you up. Look me up if you come to Atlanta!)
Chris - ROFL - exactly like quantum physics! Wrapping my own mind around the dialog... we should have brought a tape recorder. What a Podcast that would have been!
Posted by EM Sky | April 10, 2006 7:28 PM
Posted on April 10, 2006 19:28