August 3, 2014 - The Power of Who

“What if each of us were given a specific set of people to help us in ways we never imagined? …and we already know them… What if these people aren’t just happenstance acquaintances but instead strategic relationships meant to be actively involved in helping you find that place in life you always dreamed about. I think we miss the simplicity of this mysterious thing we call destiny.” – Bob Bodine ‘The Power of Who’

I listened to an interview with Bob Bodine today. The discussion was Bob’s book called the Power of Who. Bob runs one of the largest executive recruiting firms in the US – Eastman Bodine. He states that more than 80% of positions are filled by a friend or a friend of a friend.

Really, the take away from this interview for me was the power of relationships. He asked a simple question and that was if a friend called asking for help, would you not help that person. Really, what he was telling me was why bother with strangers when you have friends.

Recently,  had the opportunity to help an old friend out. She was in a spot in her life where she needed a career change. She was struggling. She had posted something to Facebook and I happened to be in a position to tangibly help her. After a while we were chatting here and there and it turned out I was able to coach her through a job interview. She is now at the start of an amazing career.

I said to my friend Todd today - - “Isn’t it such a great feeling to help people out in ways we can’t even imagine?” We had a terrific discussion about how selfish it is of us to feel good. We should stop helping people because we are feeling so good. It was all tongue in cheek though – of course. We have started down this path and will never turn back.

Where I am going is this… Help your friends. Help your friends. Help your friends. Are you trying to build your business? Help your friends. Trying to find a new job? Help your friends. When you need a favour, if you ever do, your “bank account” will be full.

The VERY interesting thing I have come to realize that few people understand is this:

If you have 100 friends, colleagues and contacts. You have a friend who has 100 friends, colleagues and contacts. The two of you need to find a specialist in some particular area. You decide to pool your resources and use your networks to find someone.

How many contacts do you collectively have to draw from? Most people would say they have 200 contacts – 100 + 100. Wrong! Each of your contacts likely also has 100 friends, colleagues and contacts to draw from. What you have is 100 X 100 friends, colleagues and contacts – 10,000 people you have to network through.

But you have to start.

So start today. Do not neglect your friends. Cultivate them. Help them grow.