I Got My Dream Job and So Can You: 7 Steps to Creating Your Ideal Career After College

CHAPTER 11RELATIONSHIPS(SUCCESS SECRET #4)

“Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.”

—JANE HOWARD, ENGLISH NOVELIST

July 15, 2003: at the Washington Wizards’ offices (in the boardroom)

The entire sales department was on edge. An afternoon staff meeting had been called by the team president, Susan O’Malley. The plan was for Susan to meet with the sales staff to discuss several new policies and for the department to brainstorm business development strategies for the upcoming year.

I was less than one month into my tenure with the Wizards, and I walked to the meeting that day with one of my colleagues, another entry-level employee whom I will call “Ron.” We sat ...