It's Who You Know, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 4Sort through your current network

As discussed in part I, you probably already have some sort of network, whether it's working effectively for you or not. But even if you hate the idea of networking and find yourself on the bottom rungs of the networking ladder introduced in chapter 2, you will have some contacts, friends and acquaintances, or will at least have connected with them on social media.

Your powerful web of resources, connections and opportunities begins right here, in and around your own backyard. The people you see every day at work or on the weekend, or meet from time to time at functions, not to mention your clients and suppliers — they are likely the starting point when it comes to identifying who is in your current network.

You now understand that more opportunity is created when you are strategic about how you network and who you network with. This is what enables you to grow exponentially. It's where you'll leverage contributions and build inspired connections that matter.

You are going to need to step up and step out, to reach out and diversify your network to include those with skills, talent and qualities that feed your growth, to transform your current into your future, to connect with those who will fast-track your success. Edmund Lee gets it right when he says, ‘Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don't ...